Description
This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that’s packed with lean ground beef, tender pasta, and a luscious Greek yogurt-based sauce. It combines classic Italian flavors with a healthy twist, making it perfect for a satisfying meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 handful fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Canned Goods
- 1 can tomatoes with juices (14.5 oz)
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
Pantry Items and Spices
- 8 oz penne pasta (or other short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve half a cup of pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground beef, break it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 6–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the beef. Add canned tomatoes with their juices and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 5–7 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- Add the Creamy Element: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the plain Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to the desired consistency.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Return the skillet to low heat for 1–2 minutes until everything is warmed through and creamy.
- Garnish & Serve: Divide the creamy beef pasta into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately, with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For an extra creamy sauce, use full-fat Greek yogurt.
- You can substitute other short pasta shapes such as rigatoni or fusilli according to preference.
- If preferred, ground turkey can replace ground beef for a leaner option.
- Reserve the pasta water as it helps loosen the sauce and enhances the creaminess without diluting flavor.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: high protein pasta, creamy beef pasta, quick weeknight dinner, easy Italian pasta, healthy beef pasta
