High Protein Recipes

Comfort Food Recipes High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Some nights you just want a dinner that feels like a big, warm hug, and this high protein creamy beef pasta is exactly that kind of meal. It’s hearty, rich, and loaded with flavor, but it also keeps you feeling fueled with plenty of protein. I call it one of my favorite comfort food recipes because it checks every single box—you get the creaminess, the savory beef, and the tender pasta that makes you go back for seconds. When I say this recipe works for Easy Weeknight Dinners, I mean it. The kind of nights when the idea of cooking feels like climbing a mountain, but you know you need something real to eat. I’ve been there, staring at the fridge with tired eyes, and this dish has saved me more than once. It comes together fast enough to be part of your Quick Weeknight Meals lineup, and you won’t be left scrubbing pots all night. This one fits perfectly under Comfort Food Recipes Dinners and it’s the kind of high protein recipe you’ll be glad you kept in rotation. When someone asks me for recipes quick dinners, this is near the top of my list. It’s balanced, satisfying, and has that perfect cozy vibe we all need at the end of a long day.

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Table of Contents

  • 1) Key Takeaways
  • 2) Easy High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe
  • 3) Ingredients for High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
  • 4) How to Make High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
  • 5) Tips for Making High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
  • 6) Making High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Ahead of Time
  • 7) Storing Leftover High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
  • 8) Try these Main Course next!
  • 9) High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta
  • 10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

  • This recipe balances comfort food recipes with high protein nutrition.
  • It is quick to prepare and perfect for Easy Weeknight Dinners.
  • Simple pantry ingredients turn into a creamy, satisfying pasta meal.
  • Great choice for recipes quick dinners when time is short.

2) Easy High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe

If I could sum up this dish in one word, it would be cozy. It’s like slipping on your favorite sweater on a cool evening. That’s why it falls neatly into the comfort food recipes category. The creamy sauce, the tender pasta, and the savory beef all come together in a way that makes you sigh in relief after the first bite.

For anyone who needs Easy Weeknight Dinners, this pasta dish is a lifesaver. You can get it on the table in about thirty minutes without fuss. No marathon cooking session, no endless stack of dirty dishes—just real food that fills you up. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll lean on when you’re short on time but still craving something good.

Every bite has flavor that feels layered and thoughtful, but the steps to get there are surprisingly simple. It’s hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs well with a crisp salad or a slice of bread. If you’ve been searching through Comfort Food Recipes Dinners, this one deserves a permanent spot in your rotation.

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3) Ingredients for High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

Olive Oil sets the stage with a smooth base for cooking the beef and onions. It gives richness and helps everything brown beautifully.

Lean Ground Beef forms the heart of this recipe. It brings protein, flavor, and a texture that works perfectly with creamy sauces.

Onion adds sweetness once cooked down. It blends into the sauce, giving depth without overpowering the other flavors.

Garlic offers a sharp note that mellows as it cooks. A few cloves go a long way to building flavor.

Paprika and Italian Seasoning bring warmth and balance. They give the beef a subtle punch and make the sauce fragrant.

Salt and Black Pepper round out the basics. They sharpen every other ingredient, making sure nothing tastes flat.

Beef Broth provides liquid that soaks into the pasta as it cooks. It deepens the savory flavor and ties everything together.

Crushed Tomatoes offer tang and body. They mix with the broth to form a base that clings to every piece of pasta.

Pasta is the canvas. Penne or rotini work best because they hold the sauce in all their ridges and curves.

Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream stirs in at the end. It adds creaminess without making the dish too heavy.

Parmesan Cheese finishes the dish. Shredded on top, it melts into the pasta and makes it rich and nutty.

Parsley is the bright note at the end. A sprinkle of fresh herbs makes the bowl look fresh and adds contrast.

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4) How to Make High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

Step 1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the beef and cook until browned. Break it apart with a spoon so it cooks evenly.

Step 2. Stir in the onion and garlic. Let them soften until fragrant and golden around the edges.

Step 3. Season the mixture with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well so the flavors coat every bite.

Step 4. Pour in the beef broth and add crushed tomatoes. Mix until combined. Let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 5. Add the pasta straight into the skillet. Cover and let it cook until tender, soaking up the broth and tomato sauce.

Step 6. Once the pasta is ready, stir in Greek yogurt or sour cream. This gives the sauce its creamy texture.

Step 7. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. Stir lightly and let it melt into the sauce.

Step 8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot. The creamy, savory flavor will hit every note of comfort you’ve been craving.

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5) Tips for Making High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

I’ve found a few tricks that make this dish come out even better. Salt your pasta water well. It’s the first chance to season the noodles and it really matters. Don’t skip it.

Cook the pasta just to al dente. That slight bite helps it hold up once it’s simmered in the sauce. Mushy noodles are the quickest way to ruin comfort food recipes like this one.

Don’t be shy with the Parmesan cheese. A generous sprinkle at the end makes the dish taste like it came from a restaurant. It’s an easy way to elevate a quick meal.

6) Making High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Ahead of Time

This pasta dish keeps well if you want to prep in advance. The sauce can be made earlier in the day and reheated with fresh pasta when you’re ready to eat. It holds its flavor and doesn’t lose its creamy texture.

If you plan to make the whole dish ahead, undercook the pasta slightly. It will finish cooking when reheated. This way, you don’t end up with soggy noodles.

I’ve made it in the morning before work and had dinner ready in minutes by just warming it up. It still tasted like one of those recipes quick dinners that feels homemade and hearty.

7) Storing Leftover High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

Leftovers go into an airtight container and into the fridge. They keep for three to four days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.

If you want to freeze it, skip adding the yogurt or sour cream until you thaw and reheat. Dairy can separate in the freezer, and it’s better fresh. Just stir it in before serving.

It reheats surprisingly well and still has that creamy, savory bite. Comfort food recipes that double as leftovers are always worth keeping around.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

Comfort Food Recipes High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Some nights you just want a dinner that feels like a big, warm hug, and this high protein creamy beef pasta is exactly that kind of meal. It’s hearty, rich, and loaded with flavor, but it also keeps you feeling fueled with plenty of protein. I call it one of my favorite comfort food recipes because it checks every single box—you get the creaminess, the savory beef, and the tender pasta that makes you go back for seconds. When I say this recipe works for Easy Weeknight Dinners, I mean it. The kind of nights when the idea of cooking feels like climbing a mountain, but you know you need something real to eat. I’ve been there, staring at the fridge with tired eyes, and this dish has saved me more than once. It comes together fast enough to be part of your Quick Weeknight Meals lineup, and you won’t be left scrubbing pots all night. This one fits perfectly under Comfort Food Recipes Dinners and it’s the kind of high protein recipe you’ll be glad you kept in rotation. When someone asks me for recipes quick dinners, this is near the top of my list. It’s balanced, satisfying, and has that perfect cozy vibe we all need at the end of a long day.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keywords: comfort food recipes, Comfort Food Recipes Dinners, easy weeknight dinners, high protein recipe, High Protein Recipes, quick weeknight meals, recipes quick dinners
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Kathy

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work best)
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
  3. Stir in onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
  4. Season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Pour in beef broth and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine.
  6. Add pasta directly into the skillet, cover, and let simmer until pasta is tender, about 12–15 minutes.
  7. Stir in Greek yogurt or sour cream for creaminess.
  8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with parsley before serving.

10) Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 | Calories: 480 | Sugar: 7 g | Sodium: 820 mg | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Carbohydrates: 45 g | Fiber: 5 g | Protein: 32 g | Cholesterol: 78 mg

Written by Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes

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