Description
This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta combines lean ground beef with penne pasta in a rich, creamy tomato sauce made with Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish that balances protein and comfort in every bite, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Creamy Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Brown the beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, low-sodium beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add creamy ingredients: Reduce heat to low, then stir in the plain Greek yogurt and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the sauce heats through but does not boil to prevent curdling.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet with the beef sauce. Toss gently until the pasta is fully coated and everything is evenly combined.
- Serve: Portion the creamy beef pasta onto plates or bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley to add a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and keep the dish healthy.
- Greek yogurt adds creaminess without the fat of heavy cream and boosts the protein content.
- Be careful not to boil the yogurt once added to prevent it from curdling.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stove.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: high protein beef pasta, creamy beef pasta, healthy beef pasta recipe, Greek yogurt pasta sauce, lean ground beef pasta
