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- 8 oz whole wheat pasta - 1 lb lean ground beef - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - 1 cup spinach, chopped - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 small onion, finely chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 1 tablespoon olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Gather all these items before you start cooking. Using whole wheat pasta boosts fiber and makes it filling. Lean ground beef packs protein, making this dish healthy and hearty. Low-fat cottage cheese and Greek yogurt create that creamy texture without too many calories. The veggies add color, nutrients, and flavor. Spinach is a great choice for vitamins. Cherry tomatoes give a sweet burst with each bite. Your onion and garlic will add depth to every mouthful. Italian seasoning brings warmth, while red pepper flakes can add a kick if you like heat. Don’t forget olive oil for cooking, and season with salt and pepper to enhance the dish. Fresh basil at the end adds a pop of freshness. This combination makes a tasty meal you can enjoy any night! {{ingredient_image_1}} To cook whole wheat pasta, fill a pot with water. Bring it to a boil. Add salt to the water for flavor. Drop in 8 oz of whole wheat pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside. In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat it over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 small onion, finely chopped. Stir it for about 3 to 4 minutes until it is soft. Then, add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Next, add 1 lb of lean ground beef to the skillet. Season it with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook the beef for about 7 to 8 minutes until it is browned and no longer pink. Don’t forget to drain any excess fat from the skillet. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of low-fat cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt. Mix them together until smooth. This will be your creamy base. Pour the creamy mixture into the skillet with the beef and vegetables. Toss in 1 cup of chopped spinach and 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Stir everything together. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften. Now, gently mix in the drained whole wheat pasta. Make sure all the pasta gets coated in the creamy sauce. If you like some heat, sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Let the dish cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. This will heat everything through. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Once done, remove it from heat. Let it sit for a minute, then serve in deep bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a beautiful touch. Ensuring Perfectly Cooked Pasta To get the best pasta, use plenty of water. Make sure it boils before adding the whole wheat pasta. Stir occasionally. Cook until it's al dente, or firm to the bite. This keeps it from getting mushy when mixed later. Drain the pasta well, but save a little pasta water. This water helps to adjust the sauce later if needed. Browning the Beef for Flavor Browning the lean ground beef adds rich taste to the dish. Heat olive oil in your skillet before adding the beef. Break it up with a spatula. Let it cook without stirring for a few minutes. This helps develop a nice brown color. Once browned, stir in the Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper. Ideal Presentation Tips To serve, use deep bowls for a casual look. Add the creamy beef pasta mixture into each bowl. The deep bowls help keep the sauce contained. You can also layer the pasta and sauce for a nice view. Garnishing Options Garnish with fresh basil leaves for color and flavor. You can also sprinkle black pepper on top. If you want some heat, add red pepper flakes. These small touches make the dish look and taste gourmet. Substitutions for Dairy If you want a dairy-free option, swap the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt for vegan alternatives. Look for dairy-free yogurts made from almond or coconut. These still give a creamy texture without dairy. Lowering Caloric Content To lower calories, you can reduce the amount of olive oil. Use leaner beef or even ground turkey. Adding more vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms can also help make the dish lighter while adding flavor. Pro Tips Use lean beef: Opt for lean ground beef to keep the dish healthier without sacrificing flavor. Customize your veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition and color. Make it creamy: For an even creamier sauce, add a splash of milk or a dollop of cream cheese to the cottage cheese and yogurt mixture. Spice it up: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your heat preference, or add fresh chili for a bolder flavor. {{image_2}} You can switch the ground beef for ground turkey. It has less fat but still packs a protein punch. Ground turkey keeps the dish light and tasty. You can also use tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Tofu absorbs flavors well and adds a nice texture. Chickpeas are great for protein and fiber. Both options make this meal enjoyable for everyone. You can make your sauce creamier by adding more cream or different cheeses. Cream cheese or mozzarella can add a rich flavor. Mixing in some parmesan can give the dish a nice salty kick. For flavor enhancements, try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary. A splash of lemon juice can brighten the taste too. These small changes can really make the dish pop. Feel free to add other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard. They add color and more nutrients. Seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers work great too. Just chop them up and toss them in with the beef. This way, you can customize the dish based on what you have at home. Each variation keeps your meals fresh and exciting. To store leftovers, let the creamy high protein beef pasta cool down first. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you want to eat it again, just take it out. If you want to freeze the pasta, use a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave some space for expansion. This meal can be frozen for up to three months. To thaw, simply move it to the fridge overnight before reheating. To keep the creaminess, use low heat when reheating. You can use a skillet or microwave. If it looks too thick, add a splash of water or broth. Stir well to mix in the added liquid. This will help bring back its creamy texture. Enjoy your meal just like the first time! You can boost the protein in this dish in a few easy ways: - Add extra lean ground beef or turkey. - Stir in some cooked lentils or chickpeas. - Mix in high-protein veggies like edamame. - Top with grated cheese, such as Parmesan or mozzarella. - Use protein-enriched pasta for a tasty twist. These options will make your meal even more filling while keeping it delicious. Yes, you can easily make this dish gluten-free. Here are some options: - Swap whole wheat pasta for gluten-free pasta made from rice or corn. - Choose lentil or chickpea pasta for added flavor and nutrients. - Check labels for gluten-free versions of Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. These changes ensure everyone can enjoy this tasty meal without gluten. This creamy high-protein beef pasta is packed with nutrients. Here’s a quick breakdown: - Protein: Lean beef, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt provide lots of protein. - Fiber: Whole wheat pasta and spinach add fiber for good digestion. - Vitamins: Spinach and tomatoes offer vitamins A and C for immune support. - Calcium: Cottage cheese and yogurt give you calcium for strong bones. Together, these nutrients make this dish a healthy choice for any meal! This blog post provides a clear guide for making a delicious and healthy pasta dish. You learned about key ingredients, cooking steps, and easy tips to enhance flavor. I shared ways to adjust the recipe for dietary needs and variations you can try. Remember, cooking is all about creativity, so don’t hesitate to experiment. Enjoy your meal prep! It's a tasty experience that promotes health and brings joy to your table.

Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta

A delicious and nutritious pasta dish packed with protein from lean beef and cottage cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 1 2 Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped
  • 1 2 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 2 red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 to taste Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 for garnish Fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and fully cooked through (about 7-8 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
  • Stir in the chopped spinach and cherry tomatoes, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and tomatoes soften slightly.
  • Reduce heat to low. In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth. Pour this creamy mixture into the skillet with the beef and vegetables.
  • Gently mix in the cooked pasta, ensuring all ingredients are well coated with the creamy sauce. Add red pepper flakes if you like some heat.
  • Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing everything to heat through. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute before serving.

Notes

Serve in deep bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of black pepper for an added touch.
Keyword beef, creamy, healthy, high protein, pasta