Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta Recipe
This satisfying Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta Recipe blends pasta, savory ground beef, garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, and herbs for a protein-rich dinner.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Colander for draining pasta
Ingredients
Pasta Base
- 12 ounces high-protein pasta or regular pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Aromatic Base
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt for extra protein
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case the sauce needs thinning later.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Allow the beef to develop a bit of caramelization. Those browned bits add a lot of flavor to the final Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta Recipe.
Step 3: Cook the Aromatics
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
- Pour in the beef broth and let it simmer for a minute to deglaze the pan.
- Add the heavy cream, Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir gently and allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Step 6: Finish the Dish
- Turn off the heat and stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve the pasta warm with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.