Print

High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

High protein creamy beef pasta in a skillet with parmesan cheese garnish
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Delicious high protein pasta with lean beef and creamy yogurt-cottage cheese sauce. Over 40g protein per serving, ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (93/7)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz high protein pasta (chickpea, lentil, or whole wheat)
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup beef broth (plus more for thinning if needed)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  5. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, beef broth, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Blend for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth.
  6. Pour the cheese mixture into the skillet with the beef. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine everything well, ensuring every piece is coated.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use chickpea or lentil pasta for highest protein content. Regular pasta works too but provides less protein.
  • The cottage cheese and Greek yogurt blend creates a creamy texture similar to alfredo but with more protein and less fat.
  • Add spinach or mushrooms when cooking onions for extra vegetables.
  • If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water or extra beef broth to reach desired consistency.
  • Any short pasta shape works well – penne, rotini, shells, or rigatoni.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/easy-high-protein-creamy-beef-pasta/