Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta (Printer-friendly)
Rich pasta with tender beef in creamy protein sauce for a hearty 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 Make It:
01 - 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 pasta water for sauce adjustment.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef strips and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove beef from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 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 until fully dissolved into the sauce.
05 - Add baby spinach to the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until just wilted.
06 - Return cooked beef with accumulated juices to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss until everything is well coated with sauce. Add reserved pasta water if sauce needs thinning. Sprinkle with Italian herbs and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately garnished with Parmesan and fresh parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy sauce somehow delivers rich comfort while packing nearly 50 grams of protein per serving
- Whole wheat pasta and lean beef mean you can go back for seconds without the post meal guilt
02 -
- The sauce will look slightly chunky from cottage cheese but trust the process it smooths out beautifully
- Protein powder can turn grainy if the pan is too hot so keep temperature at medium or lower when adding it
03 -
- Slice beef when partially frozen for thin even strips that cook uniformly
- Use an immersion blender on the sauce before adding spinach if you want it velvety smooth