High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Introduction

If you’re searching for a meal that’s both indulgently creamy and protein-packed, this High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta recipe is your answer. Combining seared lean beef with a velvety sauce and wholesome pasta, it delivers a satisfying dinner in under 30 minutes. Designed for busy weeknights, this dish brings together comfort food appeal with the nutritional boost of added protein – making it a family favorite and an excellent meal-prep option.

Why This Creamy Beef Pasta Is a Weeknight Hero

This recipe nails the trifecta: It’s speedy, simple, and brimming with flavor. Savory beef pairs beautifully with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, creamy sauce – all without the heaviness of traditional recipes. By using lean ground beef and a lighter dairy base, you get all the satisfaction, none of the guilt, and loads of muscle-building protein with every serving.

The Secret to a Creamy, Protein-Rich Sauce

The key to this sauce’s richness is Greek yogurt or low-fat cream cheese, which effortlessly melts into the pasta, creating a luscious, tangy base. Add in freshly grated Parmesan and a splash of beef broth for depth, plus garlic and onion for aromatic flavor. The result? A creamy, nutrient-dense sauce that fuels you through your busy week, without weighing you down.

Effortless Assembly for Fast Weeknight Dinners

Here’s the beauty of this recipe: the beef and vegetables cook together in one pan, while the pasta boils separately. Combine everything at the end, toss in your creamy sauce ingredients, and let the flavors meld for a few quick minutes. You’ll have a comforting, protein-rich dinner on the table in less time than it takes to order delivery.

Serving Suggestions and Garnishes

Elevate your creamy beef pasta with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, an extra shaving of Parmesan, and a crack of black pepper. Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies for a well-rounded meal. This dish holds up well for next-day leftovers, making it a smart choice for work lunches or meal prepping in advance.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 generous servings. Each serving offers around 36–40 grams of protein, 450–500 calories, and is balanced with healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. It’s the ideal dinner for anyone seeking satisfying fuel for active lifestyles.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly create a clean, organized shopping list. All ingredients are sorted by store section, making your grocery run fast and efficient – especially valuable for meal prepping and busy weeknight planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5–7 minutes. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in beef broth. Reduce heat to low, then stir in Greek yogurt (or cream cheese) and grated Parmesan. Mix until smooth and creamy, adding reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
5. If using, stir in baby spinach or kale until just wilted.
6. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the beefy, creamy sauce. Let everything simmer together for 1–2 minutes so the flavors combine.
7. Divide into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This protein-rich creamy beef pasta is perfect for meal prepping and easy weeknight planning. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan your dinner line-up for the week and auto-generate a consolidated shopping list across all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient quantities for all scheduled recipes
– Organizes your grocery list by store section for faster trips
– Eliminates duplicate purchases and overlooked items
– Streamlines meal prep for stress-free weeknights

Pro tip: When scheduling several meals, plan your recipes to see ingredient overlaps – like ground beef or greens – so your shopping list totals remain accurate and you reduce waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes