High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Introduction

This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta recipe is your answer to fast, nourishing, and utterly satisfying weeknight meals. Brimming with lean ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce, it’s designed for both flavor and efficiency. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or fueling up after a busy day, this dish delivers a protein-packed punch while keeping prep and clean-up to a minimum.

Why This Creamy Beef Pasta Is a Weeknight Winner

Few recipes strike the perfect balance between comfort and nutrition, but this one shines. With a double-dose of protein from ground beef and Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in the sauce, you’ll feel fuller longer. The silky sauce clings to every bite of pasta, making it taste indulgently creamy without being heavy. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable with pantry staples, so you can switch up the vegetables or pasta for a new twist every time.

The Secret to a High Protein, Creamy Sauce

The key to this high-protein creamy beef pasta is the sauce. Instead of relying solely on cream or cheese, this recipe uses protein-rich Greek yogurt (or blended cottage cheese) for extra creaminess and nutritional value. Adding a touch of Parmesan brings classic Italian umami depth, while garlic and herbs provide irresistible flavor.

Assembling Your Creamy Beef Pasta

Once your pasta is perfectly al dente and your beef browned to perfection, everything comes together in a single pan. The creamy sauce is stirred in last, enveloping every pasta shape in luscious flavor. A final flourish of herbs and cracked black pepper completes the dish—ideal for serving straight from the skillet, piping hot and ready for the table.

Serving Suggestions: Make This High Protein Pasta a Meal

Turn this pasta into a complete dinner by pairing it with a crisp green salad or sautéed veggies. For a boost of nutrients, toss in a handful of spinach or peas directly into the sauce. Leftovers make an excellent next-day lunch—simply reheat and enjoy the same creamy goodness with a side of roasted broccoli or a slice of wholegrain bread.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings, each boasting approximately 32–35 grams of protein (based on lean beef, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan). Calories per serving generally fall around 480–520, depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes used—a wholesome, filling choice for busy evenings!

Weekly Meal Planning Recap

Wholesome, satisfying, and made in under 30 minutes, this high protein creamy beef pasta brings together bold flavors and balanced nutrition, winning a spot in any meal plan for hectic weeknights.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe on CookifyAI to instantly generate a sorted shopping list with everything you need—perfect for fast, efficient grocery trips and no forgotten ingredients.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté 2–3 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Pour in beef broth and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
5. Lower heat to low. Stir in Greek yogurt (or blended cottage cheese) and Parmesan. Mix until sauce is creamy and smooth. If using spinach or peas, fold them in now until wilted or heated through. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if needed for a silkier sauce.
6. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the creamy beef sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper as desired.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Quick, high-protein recipes like this creamy beef pasta are ideal for meal prepping and planning ahead. Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to batch-cook dinners or lunches and automatically consolidate ingredient quantities across all your planned meals for simple, streamlined shopping.

Planning Benefits:

• Aggregates total ingredient needs across your entire menu plan
• Sorts grocery lists by store section (meats, dairy, produce, etc.)
• Prevents unnecessary purchases and helps minimize food waste
• Simplifies hectic weeknights by knowing exactly what’s on the menu

Pro Tip: When planning this recipe and others in the same week, see ingredient overlap and totals to fully streamline shopping—for example, tally all Greek yogurt and ground beef required, so you never come up short.

Cook and Prep Times

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