Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta (Printable)

Tender beef in a rich creamy sauce with protein-packed pasta, ready in 40 minutes for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll 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)
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
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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef strips with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove beef and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add onion and sauté 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Stir in cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and beef broth. Mix until smooth and creamy. Whisk in protein powder if using, ensuring full dissolution.
05 - Add spinach to the sauce and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted.
06 - Return beef with juices to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss until thoroughly coated. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately garnished with Parmesan and parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce packs 48 grams of protein per serving without feeling heavy or weighing you down
  • Everything comes together in one skillet while the pasta boils, making weeknight dinners feel effortless
02 -
  • Reserve pasta water before draining, it is the insurance policy that fixes any sauce consistency issues
  • Whisk the protein powder into the warm sauce off the heat to avoid clumping
03 -
  • Freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing, it will cut cleanly into thin strips
  • Use an immersion blender on the cottage cheese beforehand for restaurant-smooth results

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