Description
This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta combines lean ground beef with high-protein chickpea pasta in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. Enhanced with fresh vegetables, fragrant spices, and fresh basil, it’s a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for a quick yet nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 10 oz chickpea flour pasta (or any high-protein pasta)
Sauce and Meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 1 medium green bell pepper (finely diced)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup tomato sauce (passata)
- 1/2 cup light cream cheese
- 1/2 cup light sour cream
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: 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 the pasta aside to be added later.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Then add crushed garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine and cooking for an additional minute to release the aromas.
- Add Tomato Elements: Stir in the tomato paste and tomato sauce (passata). Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Make it Creamy: Incorporate the light cream cheese and light sour cream into the sauce, stirring until everything is smooth and creamy. Allow the sauce to heat through without boiling to maintain creaminess.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it thoroughly in the creamy beef sauce to coat evenly. If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Tear the fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the pasta. Adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve the pasta hot for a delicious, protein-packed meal.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- You can substitute chickpea pasta with any preferred high-protein pasta alternative.
- Use light cream cheese and sour cream to keep the dish lower in fat while maintaining creaminess.
- Fresh basil adds a bright herbal note; feel free to add more for extra flavor.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner meat alternative.
