High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe

Let’s be honest, sometimes healthy eating can feel a little, well, boring. But what if you could have a meal that’s both incredibly good for you and deeply, soul-warmingly delicious? This high protein creamy beef pasta is exactly that—a glorious contradiction in a bowl.

It’s the kind of dish that satisfies every single craving, with a rich, velvety sauce clinging to perfectly cooked pasta. And the best part? You’re getting a massive protein boost, around 47 grams per serving, without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. It’s a weeknight hero and a meal prep superstar, all rolled into one.

Why This Dish is a Game Changer for Your Routine

Ever stare into the fridge after a long day, wishing for something that feels indulgent but doesn’t derail your goals? This pasta is the answer to that nightly dilemma. It proves that you don’t need to choose between what’s good for your body and what delights your taste buds.

It’s built for real, busy life. The ingredients are straightforward, the process is simple, and the result is consistently fantastic. You’ll find yourself looking forward to eating well, rather than seeing it as a chore. That’s a win, right there.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

• 10 oz (300 g) chickpea flour pasta, or any high-protein pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup (250 g) tomato sauce, passata
• ½ cup (125 g) light cream cheese
• ½ cup (125 g) light sour cream
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves

The Secret Behind That Incredible Creamy Sauce

You might be wondering how a sauce can be so luxuriously creamy while still being a lighter option. The magic lies in the combination of cream cheese and sour cream. They meld together beautifully, creating a velvety base that’s tangy, rich, and surprisingly low in fat.

Unlike a heavy alfredo, this sauce feels light on the palate but deeply satisfying. The tomato elements provide a bright, acidic backbone that cuts through the richness, creating a perfectly balanced bite every single time. It’s a little bit of kitchen alchemy that feels truly special.

How to make High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta?

Getting Your Pasta Ready

First things first, get a large pot of salted water boiling. You want it to taste like the sea—this is your only chance to season the pasta from within. Cook your chickpea or lentil pasta according to the package directions, but here’s the pro move: before you drain it, scoop out a cup or two of that precious, starchy pasta water.

This liquid gold is the key to a perfectly silky sauce later on. Once you’ve reserved the water, drain the pasta and set it aside. Don’t rinse it; you want that starch to help the sauce cling to every nook and cranny.

Building a Flavor Foundation

While your pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your finely diced onion and green bell pepper. Now, this is important: don’t rush this step. You’re not just softening them, you’re coaxing out their natural sweetness.

Let them cook for a good 3-4 minutes, until they’ve softened and become fragrant. This foundation of flavor is what will make your entire dish sing, trust me on this one.

Cooking the Beef to Perfection

Next, add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Use your spoon to break it up as it cooks, letting it brown nicely. You’ll see the color change and smell that wonderful, savory aroma filling your kitchen.

Once the beef is no longer pink, it’s time for the aromatics. Toss in the crushed garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir it all together and let it cook for just another minute—you’ll know it’s ready when the garlic smell hits you, and it’s just incredible.

Creating the Rich Tomato Base

Now, for the depth. Add the tomato paste and tomato sauce directly into the beef mixture. Stir everything until it’s fully incorporated, and then let it simmer. Give it a good 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the tomato paste cook through.

This simmering time is crucial, it transforms the sharp, acidic taste of the tomato paste into something much richer and deeper. You’ll see the color darken slightly, a sure sign you’re on the right track.

Bringing in the Creamy Element

Here’s where the magic happens. Reduce the heat to low, and then add the light cream cheese and light sour cream. Stir gently and consistently until they’ve completely melted into the sauce, creating a smooth, homogenous, and creamy dream.

The goal here is just to heat it through, you don’t want to let it boil vigorously. This keeps the sauce from breaking and ensures that wonderfully silky texture we’re after.

Bringing It All Together

Add your cooked, drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Using tongs or a large spoon, toss everything together until every single piece of pasta is gloriously coated. If the sauce seems a bit too thick, this is your moment.

Add a splash of that reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce loosens up and becomes perfectly glossy. The starch in the water helps the sauce emulsify, clinging to the pasta in the most beautiful way.

The Final, Flavorful Touch

Finally, take your fresh basil leaves and simply tear them with your hands. Sprinkling them over the hot pasta releases their essential oils, filling the air with their sweet, peppery fragrance.

Give everything one last gentle toss, do a quick taste test for seasoning, and then it’s time to serve. This final, fresh element truly lifts the entire dish, making it feel restaurant-quality.

Tips

Always, always save your pasta water. It’s not just salty water; it’s a magical, starchy liquid that’s the secret to a professional-quality sauce. If your sauce thickens up too much upon standing, a splash of this water will bring it right back to life.

Cook your onions and peppers low and slow. Rushing this step means you’ll miss out on the beautiful, caramelized sweetness they can provide. Patience here builds a flavor base that simply can’t be replicated.

Add the creamy ingredients at the very end, off the direct heat if possible. This prevents them from curdling or splitting, ensuring your sauce stays luxuriously smooth and velvety from the first bite to the last.

How to Store and Reheat Your Leftovers

This pasta is arguably just as good the next day, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep happily in your refrigerator for up to 4 days, ready for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.

When you’re ready to eat, reheat it gently. The microwave works just fine, but for the best texture, warm it in a skillet over low heat. The sauce will likely have thickened, so have a little milk or water on hand to splash in and bring it back to its original, creamy glory.

Ingredient Substitutions: Make It Your Own

Don’t have ground beef? No problem. Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative work beautifully here. The sauce is so flavorful that it can carry any protein you choose to use.

If you’re out of sour cream, plain Greek yogurt is a fantastic, high-protein substitute. Just be sure to stir it in at the very end, off the heat, to keep it from curdling. You can also sneak in extra veggies—think mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini—for an added nutrient boost.

The Perfect Occasions for This Pasta

This dish is incredibly versatile. It’s your go-to for a hectic Tuesday night when you need something on the table fast, but it’s also special enough to serve to guests on a cozy weekend. It’s the definition of a crowd-pleaser.

It’s also the undisputed champion of meal prep. Making a double batch on a Sunday sets you up for a successful week of healthy, delicious lunches. It’s a meal that truly works as hard as you do, fitting seamlessly into any part of your life.

Print Recipe

High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe

Author: Kelsey Perez Cooking Method: Stovetop Cooking Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: H healthy dinner High Protein M meal prep W weeknight dinner

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins

Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ moderate Calories: 620

Best Season: Winter, Spring, Fall

Description

This high-protein creamy beef pasta is the most delicious way to hit your macros! It's deliciously creamy yet low in fat, and the flavors are right on point. Plus, it's great for meal prep! With around 47 grams of protein per serving and chickpea or lentil pasta to boost your macros, you get all the protein without giving up on flavor.

ingredients

Servings

• 10 oz chickpea flour pasta (or any high-protein pasta (300 g))
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion (finely diced)
• 1 medium green bell pepper (finely diced)
• 1 pound lean ground beef ((450 g))
• 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup tomato sauce (passata (250 g))
• ½ cup light cream cheese ((125 g))
• ½ cup light sour cream ((125 g))
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves (torn)

Instructions

1. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, reserve 1–2 cups of pasta water, then drain and set it aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, cooking for about 3–4 minutes until soft.
3. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in the crushed garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute.
4. Mix in the tomato paste and tomato sauce. Let it simmer together for about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Heat through but do not boil.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
7. Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the pasta. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 620kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 30gg47%

Saturated Fat 13gg65%

Trans Fat 0.5gg

Cholesterol 110mgmg37%

Sodium 680mgmg29%

Potassium 950mgmg28%

Total Carbohydrate 45gg15%

Dietary Fiber 8gg32%

Sugars 6gg

Protein 47gg94%

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Calcium 12 mg

Iron 25 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and sour cream alternatives (e.g., coconut-based or almond-based).
• Boost veggies: Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini with the onions and peppers.
• Meal prep tip: This dish stores beautifully—portion into containers for up to 4 days of ready-to-go lunches.
• Reheat gently: Add a splash of water or milk when reheating to restore creaminess.

Keywords: high protein pasta, creamy beef pasta, healthy pasta recipe, meal prep pasta, lean ground beef pasta