Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta (Printable)

Rich pasta with tender beef, creamy sauce, and extra protein for a hearty nutritious meal.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 14 oz lean beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
02 - 7 oz low-fat cottage cheese
03 - 3.5 oz Greek yogurt (2% or higher fat content)
04 - 1 scoop unflavored whey protein powder (optional)

→ Pasta

05 - 10.5 oz whole wheat or high-protein pasta

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 5 oz baby spinach leaves

→ Sauce & Seasonings

09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
13 - 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth

→ Garnish

14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped

# How-To:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef strips with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove beef from skillet and reserve on a plate.
03 - Add onion to the same skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Stir in cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and beef broth. Mix continuously until smooth and creamy. If using protein powder, whisk in until fully dissolved.
05 - Add baby spinach to the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until just wilted.
06 - Return cooked beef and accumulated juices to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss until thoroughly coated. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately topped with Parmesan and fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the creamy comfort of classic pasta sauce with nearly 50 grams of protein per serving
  • The whole wheat pasta absorbs the savory flavors so perfectly nobody notices they're eating something healthier
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for post-workout meals or feeding a hungry family
02 -
  • Don't let the sauce come to a rolling boil after adding dairy or the Greek yogurt might separate and ruin that silky texture
  • The pasta water trick isn't optional—without it, the sauce can turn into a clumpy mess instead of coating each strand
  • Slicing beef against the grain and not overcooking it are the two things standing between tender meat and chewy disappointment
03 -
  • Pat your beef strips completely dry before searing—wet meat steams instead of browns
  • Room temperature ingredients blend into the sauce much more smoothly than cold dairy straight from the fridge

Return