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Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe Easy High Protein Dinner in 30 Minutes

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This creamy beef pasta is a quick, high-protein comfort food dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes. With hearty ground beef, a velvety sauce, and your favorite pasta, it’s a family-friendly meal that’s both satisfying and easy to customize.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni; whole wheat optional)
  • Salt, for the pasta water
  • 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef (90% lean preferred, 80% for richer flavor)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup/150g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil and oregano)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
  • Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until well browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  5. Pour in beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce is thick and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss until coated in the sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
  7. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken and half-and-half instead of cream. Gluten-free or chickpea pasta can be substituted for regular pasta. Add vegetables like spinach, peas, or mushrooms for extra nutrition. If sauce is too thick, add more broth or reserved pasta water; if too thin, simmer longer or add a tablespoon of cream cheese. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy beef pasta, high protein dinner, quick pasta recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner, ground beef pasta, easy pasta, family meal

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/creamy-beef-pasta-recipe-easy-high-protein-dinner-in-30-minutes/