High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Introduction

If you’re craving a comforting, filling meal that comes together in thirty minutes or less, this High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta is your new dinnertime hero. Loaded with lean ground beef, plenty of tender pasta, and finished with a creamy, protein-packed sauce, it’s the kind of crowd-pleasing dish that checks every box for busy families, athletes, or anyone looking for a hearty and wholesome weeknight meal.

Why This Creamy Beef Pasta is a Weeknight Winner

This recipe offers the ultimate combination of speed, flavor, and nutrition. High in protein to keep you fuller longer, it comes together in one pot, minimizing cleanup and prep work. The rich, silky sauce is bolstered with Greek yogurt and just a touch of cheese, allowing you to enjoy all the creaminess you crave without weighing you down. It’s also endlessly customizable: add your favorite veggies or swap in whole-grain pasta for even more nutrients.

The Secrets to Protein-Rich Creaminess

The magic in this beef pasta recipe is in the sauce! Lean ground beef provides robust flavor and muscle-building protein, while a combination of low-fat cream cheese and plain Greek yogurt delivers creaminess and protein punch. By stirring in the Greek yogurt off the heat, you ensure a smooth, luscious sauce with a delightful tang.

How to Build a Quick, Savory Weeknight Dinner

Start by browning lean ground beef with your favorite Italian seasonings and a bit of onion and garlic—your kitchen will smell incredible within minutes. Toss in cooked pasta and pour the creamy sauce over top, letting everything simmer together for maximum flavor mingling. Use any pasta shape you like; short cuts like rotini or penne cling to the sauce best.

Serving Ideas for Creamy Beef Pasta

Garnish your dish with freshly chopped parsley, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, or a side of steamed green veggies for added color and nutrition. Serve piping hot straight from the pan, or portion into meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. It’s a filling, family-friendly option that disappears as quickly as it’s made.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each serving contains approximately 36–40 grams of protein, only moderate fat (depending on your choice of cream cheese and beef), and around 430–480 calories. It’s an ideal meal for building muscle, refueling after workouts, or simply enjoying a balanced dinner.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list. All ingredients are sorted by store section, making your grocery trips efficient and ensuring you never forget a thing—perfect for busy weeknight meal planning!

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the beef, until it’s browned and the onion is soft, about 5–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat, if needed.
3. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in beef broth and stir, scraping up any bits from the skillet. Allow to simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and combined.
6. Remove pan from heat, then stir in Greek yogurt and half of the cheese until smooth and creamy.
7. Add cooked pasta (and baby spinach or broccoli if using) to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. If needed, add a splash more broth to thin the sauce to your liking.
8. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, cover with a lid for 2 minutes to melt, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Weekly Meal Planning

This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta makes an excellent anchor for your weekly meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically create streamlined shopping lists that factor in all planned meals—no more duplicate ingredients or last-minute store runs.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredients needed for the entire week
– Groups groceries by store section for ultra-fast shopping
– Ensures you use every ingredient efficiently—no waste
– Lets you track and optimize your protein intake for the week

Pro tip: When meal prepping, combine multiple recipes in your meal plan—CookifyAI tallies overlapping ingredients (like onions or beef), meaning you buy exactly what you’ll use. This saves time, money, and fridge space!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta is your go-to for fast, nutritious, and ultra-satisfying weeknight dinners—enjoy the taste and convenience, and let CookifyAI make your meal planning effortless!