High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners – The Food Journal

Introduction

Craving a quick, hearty, and nourishing dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition? This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta is a satisfying weeknight winner. Perfectly seasoned ground beef, protein-packed pasta, and a luscious, creamy sauce come together for a meal that feels indulgent yet smart—ideal for busy families or anyone needing a filling dinner after a long day.

Why This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Belongs on Your Table

This recipe is a crowd pleaser thanks to its rich, savory layers and a velvety sauce that clings to each bite of pasta. By swapping in a high-protein pasta (like chickpea, lentil, or protein-enriched wheat pasta), you’ll keep everyone full and energized, while lean ground beef boosts the protein content and the flavor. Plus, everything comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a top choice for hectic weeknights.

The Secret to Creamy, Flavorful Beef Pasta

Start by browning your ground beef with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning for a savory base. Once browned, incorporate a small amount of tomato paste to deepen the flavors. The magic happens when you deglaze the pan with a little beef broth, then stir in Greek yogurt and light cream cheese, which add protein and luxurious creaminess without the heaviness of traditional sauces. Finish with a touch of parmesan for an irresistible finish.

Perfect Assembly for Maximum Creaminess

Be sure to cook your pasta just to al dente—this helps it better absorb the sauce while retaining texture. Before draining, reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss the drained pasta into the creamy beef mixture, adding pasta water by the tablespoon until you reach your desired consistency. This technique ensures the sauce coats each strand for a restaurant-quality finish.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

Garnish your creamy beef pasta with extra parmesan, chopped parsley, or fresh cracked black pepper. Serve alongside a crisp green salad and some steamed vegetables for a well-rounded dinner. Need to make it ahead? This dish reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 hearty servings. Using high-protein pasta and lean ground beef, each portion provides about 35–40g of protein per serving—a great choice for athletes, active families, or anyone seeking a satisfying, macro-friendly meal.

High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta (Recap)

This dish is all about hearty comfort that works for your schedule and your nutrition goals: think plenty of flavor, a luxuriously creamy sauce, and a quick process from fridge to table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to seamlessly generate an organized, store-sectioned shopping list for all your dinner essentials—streamlining your grocery trips and meal prep like a pro!

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the high-protein pasta according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Stir in tomato paste and Italian seasoning; cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.
5. Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in Greek yogurt and cream cheese until melted and creamy. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
7. Add cooked pasta into the sauce and toss well to coat. Stir in parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.
8. Serve immediately, garnishing with parsley and extra parmesan if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This high-protein creamy beef pasta is perfect for prepping ahead. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly meal plan to get automatically consolidated shopping lists and smarter planning for your entire week.

Meal Planning Benefits:

– Totals ingredients across all scheduled recipes, so you shop only what you need
– Sorts ingredients by grocery store section for efficient shopping
– Prevents duplicate purchases and out-of-stock surprises
– Makes weekly prep a breeze, so you spend less time planning, more time enjoying

Pro tip: When adding this meal to your weekly schedule, use CookifyAI to spot ingredient overlaps with other meals—helping you buy just the right quantities and minimize waste.

Cook and Prep Times

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

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With this High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta featuring a perfect balance of comfort and nutrition, your quick weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade!