High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
A hearty and creamy pasta dish made with lean beef and Greek yogurt that comes together in about 30 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) Provides a high protein content.
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can tomatoes with juices (14.5 oz) Crushed or diced as preferred.
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 8 oz penne pasta (rigatoni, fusilli) Can be substituted with gluten-free pasta.
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil For browning the beef.
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt Full-fat holds up best in cooking.
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese Use freshly grated for better melt.
- 1 handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook to al dente according to package directions (usually 9–11 minutes). Reserve ½–1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the lean ground beef, breaking it up, and brown until no pink remains. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour in the can of tomatoes (with juices) and beef broth. Stir, bring to a simmer, and cook for 6–8 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let the sauce cool for 30–60 seconds to prevent the yogurt from curdling. Stir in Greek yogurt and grated parmesan until smooth. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat. Warm through over low heat if needed, adding more pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Plate, sprinkle with chopped basil or parsley and a little extra parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
Serve with a crisp green salad to cut through the creaminess. Garlic bread or a baguette is great for mopping up sauce. For drink pairings, a chilled hibiscus iced tea works well.