The Best Quick & Easy Creamy Protein Pasta Recipe
Makes: 6 Servings
Per Serving: 47g Protein | 400 Cal
There’s something so cozy and comforting about a rich, creamy pasta dish and this high-protein beef pasta recipe is exactly that. Cheesy, loaded with protein, and super satisfying, it tastes indulgent while still helping you hit your protein goals.
Great for weeknight dinner or meal prep, this macro-friendly recipe is about to become one of your new go-tos.
Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Pasta Recipe
Packed with protein: Each serving of this creamy beef pasta packs in 47 grams of protein.
No heavy cream in sight: This pasta is creamy, but doesn’t have any cream in it. Blended cottage cheese adds tons of creaminess and an extra boost of protein.
Quick and easy: You can have this pasta on the table in about 30 minutes.
A total crowd-pleaser: This family-friendly meal is healthy, delicious and a great choice for a dinner everyone will love.
Made with simple ingredients: You can easily make this recipe with kitchen staples like ground beef, pasta, and cheese.
Macro-friendly: This dinner feels like it should be super high in calories, but it’s actually really balanced, making it a great choice for those watching their macros.
Ingredients
12 oz pasta of choice (protein pasta or regular)
1 lb lean ground beef (90–96%)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
¾ cup cottage cheese (4%), blended completely smooth
½ cup beef broth
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim works best)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water well. Add the pasta to the salted water and cook until al dente according to the directions on the package. When the pasta is done, reserve at least ½ cup of pasta water in a liquid measuring cup. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
Cook the beef and the onion: Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and let it cook for 1-2 minutes. Break the beef up into small pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. If there’s extra fat in the pan, drain it into a small dish.
Add the seasonings: Add the garlic to the skillet with the beef and onions. Cook for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Simmer the mixture for about 30-60 seconds.
Add the cheese and make the cottage cheese sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the blended cottage cheese until well combined. Add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add some of the reserved pasta water (just a few tablespoons at a time) until the sauce gets thick and glossy and coats the back of the spoon.
Finish and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Finish with fresh herbs (like basil or parsley) or some red pepper flakes. Enjoy! If you’d like, you can put the pasta in a 9x13-inch baking dish, add extra cheese on top, and bake until melted.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving - Makes 6 Servings)
Calories: 400
Protein: 47g
Carbs: 23g
Fat: 14g
Everything You Need to Know About the Creamy, High-Protein Sauce
The base of the creamy sauce is blended cottage cheese. When you blend cottage cheese until it’s fully smooth, it gives the sauce a silky texture, melts in beautifully, doesn’t taste like cottage cheese, and gives your pasta an added protein boost.
The Best Pastas to Pair With This Creamy Beef Sauce
This recipe is super forgiving. Select the pasta you like best: chickpea pasta, lentil pasta, protein pasta, whole-grain pasta, or traditional pasta. Using a high-protein pasta will increase the protein in the recipe even more, but you can use whatever you have on hand—they're all an excellent choice. You know I love Kaizen pastas, so if you're looking for pasta with a high protein content and balanced macros, I'd recommend them!
Swaps & Substitutions
Switch up the meat: Instead of using ground beef, you can lighten this recipe up a bit by using ground turkey or ground chicken.
Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste to the pan with the garlic. Start small, you can always add more!
Add extra vegetables: Sauté spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, or eggplant with the onion or ground meat.
Make it gluten-free: Use your favorite kind of gluten-free pasta.
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container or portion into individual airtight containers and place in the fridge for up to 4 days.
When reheating, add a little bit of broth or water to get the sauce back to the correct consistency.
Make a batch and eat all week.
FAQs
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Not at all! Once you blend the cottage cheese and mix it with the rest of the ingredients in the sauce, it’ll taste like a creamy, indulgent sauce instead of a dollop of cottage cheese.
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I’d really recommend it. If you don’t blend the cottage cheese, you’ll miss out on that smooth, creamy texture. You can whiz it in a blender or food processor or blend until smooth with an immersion blender.
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I wouldn’t. Creamy sauces don’t freeze and reheat all that well. They tend to change texture a bit once you thaw them. If you really need to freeze your sauce, make sure you gently reheat the pasta and add a little extra liquid to help it come together.
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If you want to add even more protein to this dish, make sure you use protein pasta. You can also add a little extra beef and a little extra blended cottage cheese if you’d like, plus you can top the finished product with some additional Parmesan cheese.
This pasta is the ultimate high-protein comfort dish. With balanced macros, simple ingredients, and minimal effort, it’s rich and creamy, filling, and the absolute perfect dinner for busy weeknights.
Creamy Beef Protein Pasta
This protein pasta recipe is packed with lean ground beef, tossed in a creamy cottage cheese sauce, and finished with fresh herbs. It’s a delicious take on your favorite meal!
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta of choice (protein pasta or regular)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90–96%)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¾ cup cottage cheese (4%), blended completely smooth
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim works best)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water well. Add the pasta to the salted water and cook until al dente according to the directions on the package. When the pasta is done, reserve at least ½ cup of pasta water in a liquid measuring cup. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
- Cook the beef and the onion: Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and let it cook for 1-2 minutes. Break the beef up into small pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. If there’s extra fat in the pan, drain it into a small dish.
- Add the seasonings: Add the garlic to the skillet with the beef and onions. Cook for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Simmer the mixture for about 30-60 seconds.
- Add the cheese and make the cottage cheese sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the blended cottage cheese until well combined. Add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add some of the reserved pasta water (just a few tablespoons at a time) until the sauce gets thick and glossy and coats the back of the spoon.
- Finish and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Finish with fresh herbs (like basil or parsley) or some red pepper flakes. Enjoy! If you’d like, you can put the pasta in a 9x13-inch baking dish, add extra cheese on top, and bake until melted.
