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High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

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This high protein creamy beef pasta is a quick, comforting dinner packed with lean ground beef, a silky cottage cheese sauce, and protein-enriched pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and anyone looking for a nutritious, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz whole wheat or protein-enriched pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90-96% lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 oz light cream cheese, softened
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Chopped baby spinach
  • Optional: Sliced mushrooms, sautéed
  • Optional: Shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 9-11 minutes) until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and no pink remains (about 5-6 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute. Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  5. In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese and cream cheese until completely smooth and creamy (about 30 seconds).
  6. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Stir the blended cheese mixture into the beef and broth. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until creamy and thickened. Add Parmesan and stir to melt.
  7. Add drained pasta to the skillet. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Stir until pasta is coated and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Add extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Blend cottage cheese thoroughly for a silky sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. After adding dairy, keep heat low to prevent curdling. This recipe is flexible—swap in ground turkey, add extra veggies, or use gluten-free pasta as needed. Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: high protein, creamy beef pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, protein pasta, healthy pasta, meal prep, comfort food, quick dinner, family recipe

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/high-protein-creamy-beef-pasta-easy-30-minute-dinner-recipe/