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Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta | Easy Muscle-Building Dinner

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Fuel your gains with this easy Creamy High Protein Beef Pasta! Brown lean ground beef, then create a rich, savory sauce. Perfect for muscle-building. Full recipe & nutrition details await.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90% or leaner)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 4 oz light cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz high-protein pasta (e.g., chickpea or whole wheat penne)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning, plus salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook the high-protein pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Step 3: Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the cooked beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Step 5: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened light cream cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously until it is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce appears too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Step 6: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy beef sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Keep any delicious leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, perfect for effortless meal prep.
  • When reheating, especially in the microwave, add a small splash of beef broth or water to help the sauce remain lusciously creamy and prevent it from drying out.
  • Brighten up this hearty dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a side of crisp green salad for a delightful contrast.
  • For the smoothest, silkiest sauce, make sure your light cream cheese is truly softened at room temperature; this prevents lumps and helps it melt seamlessly into the broth.
  • Author: alanya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx. 400g)
  • Calories: 970
  • Sodium: 1050mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Protein: 6g

Find it online: https://yummyplatess.com/creamy-high-protein-beef-pasta-easy-muscle-building-dinner/