Go Back
+ servings
Creamy High-Protein Beef Pasta

Creamy High-Protein Beef Pasta for Your Comfort Food Cravings

This creamy high-protein beef pasta brings comfort food to a new health-conscious level.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Pasta any shape that holds sauce beautifully
For the Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground Beef can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil can substitute with canola or avocado oil
  • 1 medium Diced Onion sauté until translucent
  • 1 medium Bell Pepper can substitute with zucchini or spinach
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 8 oz Mushrooms can omit or replace with diced eggplant
  • 2-3 tbsp Tomato Paste vital for rich flavor
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning essential for flavor enhancement
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika optional
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • 2 cups Beef Broth or use vegetable broth for vegetarian version
  • 1 can Diced Tomatoes or substitute with fresh tomatoes
For Creaminess
  • 1 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1 cup Cottage Cheese can substitute with ricotta
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
For Garnishing
  • Fresh Herbs optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy High-Protein Beef Pasta
  1. Fill a large pot with generously salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 2-3 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking apart with a spatula. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary, season with salt and pepper.
  3. Lower the heat to medium and add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes until onion is translucent. Stir in minced garlic and mushrooms, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and let cook for a minute until it darkens slightly. Add Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, beef broth, and diced tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 4-5 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt and cottage cheese until smooth. Gently stir this creamy blend into the beef mixture with Parmesan cheese and cook for another 3 minutes.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing gently with the creamy sauce. If too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water until desired consistency is achieved.
  7. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese, cover, and let melt for about 2 minutes on low heat. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 4mg

Notes

For best results, maintain low heat when adding dairy to prevent curdling. Adjust seasoning gradually for the perfect flavor balance and feel free to incorporate fresh vegetables as alternatives.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!