Description
This creamy high protein beef pasta is a quick, budget-friendly one-pot meal that tastes like pure comfort. Packed with protein from lean ground beef and cottage cheese, it fuels busy bodies and satisfies the whole family with less cleanup.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground beef (lean, 90/10)
12 oz Short pasta (penne or rotini)
2 cups Low-sodium beef broth
1 cup Full-fat cottage cheese
3 tbsp Tomato paste
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder
To taste Salt and black pepper
½ cup Shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the beef. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon. Cook until completely browned. Drain any excess fat
- Build the base. Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for one minute, until fragrant. It deepens the flavor beautifully
- Add the pasta. Pour in the beef broth. Bring it to a boil. Add the dry pasta. Stir well
- Simmer. Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes. Stir halfway through. The pasta will absorb the liquid
- Create the sauce. Once the pasta is tender, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cottage cheese. It melts into a dreamy, creamy sauce. This is the magic of your creamy high protein beef pasta
- Finish and serve. Top with shredded mozzarella. Cover for one minute to let it melt. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately
Notes
For the best results, use lean ground beef to prevent a greasy sauce.
Do not overcook the pasta; aim for al dente.
Use full-fat cottage cheese for ultimate creaminess. For an ultra-smooth texture, blend the cottage cheese before adding.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The pasta will thicken overnight; reheat with a splash of milk or water.
Freezer-friendly: Cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Substitutions: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. For dairy-free, swap cottage cheese with blended silken tofu and use dairy-free mozzarella. Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: beef pasta, high protein, one pot, creamy, family dinner