Creamy Beef Pasta
This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner option featuring tender penne pasta tossed in a rich and creamy sauce made with lean ground beef, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a perfect balance of hearty flavors and creamy texture, ideal for busy evenings or meal prep.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing and boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
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
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- Olive oil (for cooking)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
- Cook 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 well and set aside.
- Prepare Beef Mixture: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Make Creamy Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, low-sodium beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Dairy Ingredients: Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the plain Greek yogurt and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and well combined. Do not boil after adding yogurt to prevent curdling.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Toss thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) to reduce fat content.
- Greek yogurt adds creaminess without the heaviness of cream and boosts protein.
- Do not boil the sauce after adding the yogurt to avoid curdling.
- This dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- For a lower-carb version, substitute penne pasta with whole wheat or legume-based pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: high protein pasta recipe, creamy beef pasta, quick dinner recipes, weeknight meals, ground beef pasta, Greek yogurt sauce, easy pasta dinner