Description
A creamy, high-protein beef pasta dish combining lean ground beef, penne, and a rich sauce made with Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese. This comforting yet nutritious meal is perfect for a satisfying dinner, balancing protein and flavor with low-sodium ingredients and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil (for cooking, about 1-2 tbsp)
Creamy Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Brown Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, low-sodium beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Add Creaminess: Lower the heat and stir in the plain Greek yogurt and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and well mixed. Heat gently but do not boil to prevent yogurt from curdling.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the beef sauce. Toss well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy beef mixture.
- Serve: Plate the creamy beef pasta and garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure not to boil the sauce after adding Greek yogurt to avoid curdling.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta types like rigatoni or fusilli.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste, especially considering the saltiness of broth and parmesan.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: high protein beef pasta, creamy beef pasta, Greek yogurt pasta, healthy beef pasta recipe, quick dinner ideas
