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High protein creamy beef pasta served in a skillet with Parmesan and fresh parsley garnish

High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

A rich and satisfying 30-minute pasta dinner made with lean ground beef and a smooth cottage cheese sauce packed with over 42 grams of protein per serving.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 93/7
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz high protein pasta chickpea, lentil, or whole wheat
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 cup beef broth plus more for thinning if needed
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Blender
  • Large pot
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before discarding.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and just starting to turn golden at the edges.
  3. Add minced garlic and stir for about one minute until fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  4. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned with no pink remaining. Carefully drain excess fat from the pan.
  5. Add cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, beef broth, and half the Parmesan to a blender. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds until completely smooth.
  6. Pour the blended sauce into the skillet with the beef. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Add the drained pasta and toss until every piece is well coated. Add reserved pasta water one splash at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  8. Serve hot with remaining Parmesan and fresh parsley on top.

Notes

Blend the cottage cheese sauce completely smooth for best texture results. Chickpea or lentil pasta delivers the highest protein content per serving. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of beef broth to restore the creamy consistency.