High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
A rich and satisfying weeknight meal featuring smoky ground beef and a creamy, high-protein sauce made with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan. Perfect for families or fitness enthusiasts craving comfort food that still supports healthy goals.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef (90%)
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup beef broth
12 oz pasta (penne or spaghetti)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup starchy pasta water (reserved while boiling pasta)
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and onion, sauté for 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
Add ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain fat, if desired.
Stir in Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water.
Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat, using pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for desired consistency.
Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-grated for better flavor and texture.
For a dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt with a non-dairy alternative and omit Parmesan, adding nutritional yeast for umami.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.