Print

Creamy High-Protein Beef Pasta: 5g Protein Per Bite

creamy high-protein beef pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and indulgent weeknight dinner featuring lean ground beef and a rich, velvety sauce made with Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese for a high-protein, guilt-free comfort meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Lean Ground Beef (90/10 or 93/7)
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 3–4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (240g) Greek Yogurt (Full-fat or 2%, plain unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) Heavy Cream
  • 1 pound (450g) Penne or Rigatoni
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1/2 cup Pasta Water (reserved from cooking pasta)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute to toast the paste.
  6. Deglaze the pan with a splash of reserved pasta water, scraping up browned bits.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Stir in Greek yogurt, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Whisk gently until smooth. Do not boil.
  8. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan and serve immediately.

Notes

To prevent the yogurt from curdling, keep the heat low when adding dairy and temper the yogurt by whisking a spoonful of hot sauce into it before adding the rest. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.

Nutrition

Keywords: high protein pasta, beef pasta, creamy pasta, healthy comfort food, Greek yogurt sauce, quick dinner, weeknight meals, protein rich

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-high-protein-beef-pasta-5g-protein-per-bite/