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Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta

Quick, protein-packed pasta dinner with lean ground beef, Greek yogurt, and melted cheese ready in 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 90/10 or 93/7
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta high protein pasta optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Large pot for pasta
  • wooden spoon
  • colander

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  5. Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 5-6 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Add Greek yogurt or cottage cheese and stir gently until creamy. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
  7. In a separate pot, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and add to skillet.
  8. Fold in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to restore creaminess. Freezer-friendly for up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating. Substitutions: Ground turkey or chicken can replace beef. High-protein chickpea or lentil pasta boosts nutrition. Use regular paprika if smoked paprika isn't available. Make-ahead: Prepare beef sauce through step 6, refrigerate up to 2 days, then cook fresh pasta and combine when ready to serve.