Oh, you know those nights, right? The ones where your stomach is rumbling, the clock is ticking, and you just need something GOOD, like, *yesterday*? Yeah, me too! That’s exactly why this High Protein Beef Pasta is my absolute weeknight warrior. It’s seriously so simple, super satisfying, and honestly, it tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did. I swear, one evening I was staring into the fridge, completely drained, and this dish just saved me. It’s got that hearty, comforting vibe you crave, but it also packs a serious protein punch to keep you full without weighing you down. Perfect for hustling through dinner when you’ve got a million other things on your plate!
Why You’ll Love This High Protein Beef Pasta
Seriously, this pasta is a total game-changer for busy folks like us! Here’s why it’s been living rent-free in my kitchen:
- Super Speedy: We’re talking dinner on the table in about 40 minutes, start to finish!
- Packed with Protein: Thanks to that lean ground beef, it’ll keep you feeling full and satisfied.
- Flavor Bomb: The savory beef, sweet tomatoes, and Italian herbs just sing together.
- Easy Peasy: You won’t find any complicated steps here, just pure, simple goodness.
- Minimal Cleanup: Most of the magic happens in just one skillet!
- Totally Customizable: Feel free to jazz it up with your favorite veggies or spices.
Gather Your High Protein Beef Pasta Ingredients
Alright, let’s get your pantry ready for this deliciousness! You’ll want to grab these goodies:
- 1 pound lean ground beef: This is our protein powerhouse!
- 1 pound whole wheat pasta: My favorite for that extra fiber, but any pasta you love works!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Just a little drizzle to get things going.
- 1 onion, finely chopped: It adds such a sweet base flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Because everything is better with garlic, right?
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes: This makes a lovely, rich sauce.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: For that classic Italian aroma.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil: It pairs perfectly with the oregano.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Gotta season it up just right!
And hey, don’t forget those optional little extras like red pepper flakes for a kick or some Parmesan cheese for topping – they really take it up a notch!
Essential Equipment for Making High Protein Beef Pasta
To whip up this delicious High Protein Beef Pasta, you really just need a few kitchen staples. Grab a good-sized skillet – one that’s big enough to hold all that yummy ground beef and sauce. You’ll also want a colander for draining that pasta once it’s cooked just right. Oh, and don’t forget your measuring cups and spoons so everything is perfectly balanced. Easy peasy!
Step-by-Step Guide to Your High Protein Beef Pasta
Okay, let’s get down to business! This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s way easier than you think. Here’s how we make this High Protein Beef Pasta:
Cooking the Pasta Perfectly
First things first, get a big pot of water boiling for your pasta. I like to add a good pinch of salt to the water – it really seasons the pasta from the inside out! Cook it according to the package directions until it’s nice and al dente. Don’t you dare overcook it! Once it’s done, drain it really well in a colander. If you’re worried about it sticking while you make the sauce, you can toss it with just a tiny bit of olive oil, but I usually just set it aside and it’s fine. It reminds me a bit of how I prep my pasta for that Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
Browning the Beef and Sautéing Aromatics
Now, grab your biggest skillet. Add that tablespoon of olive oil and get it heated up over medium heat. Toss in your pound of lean ground beef. Now, get in there with your spoon and break it all up! You want it to be nice and browned all over. Once it looks good and crumbly, carefully drain off any extra grease – nobody wants a greasy pasta sauce! Then, toss in your finely chopped onion and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it’s soft and smelling sweet. This little step makes a HUGE difference in flavor, so don’t skip it!
Simmering the Rich Tomato Sauce
After the onions are looking good, add in your minced garlic. Just give it about a minute, stirring constantly, until you can smell that amazing garlicky goodness. Be careful not to burn it! Now, pour in the whole can of crushed tomatoes. Add your dried oregano and basil, then season it all up with salt and pepper. I like to give it a good stir and then let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This lets all those flavors get to know each other and makes the sauce nice and thick. It smells incredible at this point, doesn’t it?
Combining Pasta and Sauce
This is the grand finale! You’ve got your perfectly cooked pasta ready to go, and your delicious, simmering sauce. Now, just add that drained pasta right into the skillet with the sauce. Use your spoons to gently toss everything together until every single strand of pasta is coated in that rich, tomatoey goodness. Make sure it’s all mixed in well. And voilà! You’ve got yourself a fantastic plate of High Protein Beef Pasta ready to go. I sometimes like to add a tiny bit more pepper here if I feel like it needs it.
Tips for the Best High Protein Beef Pasta
Okay, you’ve got the basics down, but let’s talk about how to make this High Protein Beef Pasta truly sing! A few little tricks can make all the difference. First off, quality ingredients really do matter here. Using lean ground beef means less grease, so you end up with pure beefy flavor. And for the pasta? Whole wheat is my go-to because it adds fiber and a nice nutty taste, but any pasta you have on hand will work beautifully. Don’t be afraid to really brown that beef well – that’s where so much of the savory flavor comes from!
Also, taste as you go! Adjust that salt and pepper until it’s just right for your palate. If you like things with a bit of a punch, a pinch of red pepper flakes tossed in with the garlic is just heavenly. It adds this subtle warmth that’s addictive. It’s kind of like how a little bit of spice can elevate simple garlic and herb roasted potatoes. And seriously, let that sauce simmer for those 10 minutes – it’s not just waiting time, it’s flavor-building time!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for High Protein Beef Pasta
Let’s chat a bit about these ingredients, shall we? Because sometimes you might be missing something, or maybe you just want to try something a little different! For the ground beef, lean is definitely the way to go here to keep it from getting too greasy, but you could totally use regular ground beef too; just be extra diligent about draining off that fat. If you’re not feeling beef, ground turkey or even chicken would work, though the flavor will be a bit different. For the pasta, I adore whole wheat for the extra fiber, but honestly, any pasta shape you have in the pantry works great – fettuccine, rotini, penne, you name it!
And the tomatoes! Crushed tomatoes give us that nice thick sauce, but diced tomatoes will do in a pinch, you might just want to give them a little mash with your spoon as they cook if you want it smoother. Need to watch your salt intake? Reach for a low-sodium crushed tomato and adjust your seasoning carefully. Speaking of seasoning, if you don’t have dried oregano and basil, you can totally use Italian seasoning, or even just a little fresh basil and oregano if you happen to have them around! You can find more tips on salt, like using kosher salt, in other posts.
Serving Suggestions for High Protein Beef Pasta
Now that you’ve got this amazing High Protein Beef Pasta ready, what else can we pile onto the table to make it a full meal? I love pairing it with a simple crisp salad. A cucumber Caprese salad would be so refreshing, or even just some mixed greens with a light vinaigrette. And who doesn’t love a good piece of bread for soaking up any extra sauce? Some crusty garlic bread or even just some simple tomato toast is perfect. For a super simple veggie side, steamed broccoli or green beans are always a winner!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This High Protein Beef Pasta reheats like a dream. Let the pasta cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep nicely for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to dig in again, you can pop it in the microwave for a minute or two, or if you’re fancy, gently warm it up in a skillet on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. It’s seriously just as good the second time around!
Frequently Asked Questions about High Protein Beef Pasta
Got questions about this delicious High Protein Beef Pasta? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! If you want to skip the beef, you can easily swap it out for a plant-based crumble or even some hearty lentils. Just make sure to cook them up nicely before adding them to the sauce. It’ll still be super tasty AND vegetarian!
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Saving leftovers is super easy. Once the pasta has cooled down a bit, just scoop it into an airtight container and pop it into the fridge. It should stay good for about 3 to 4 days. It reheats really well, which is always a bonus!
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
You bet! This High Protein Beef Pasta freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers or bags. It should be good in the freezer for about 2 to 3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I add more veggies to this pasta?
Oh, definitely! This recipe is super forgiving when it comes to adding extra veggies. I love tossing in some chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or even some spinach right around the same time you add the onions. It’s a great way to sneak in more goodness!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Just a little heads-up that these numbers are estimates, okay? Because we all know ingredients can vary a bit, but this gives you a good idea. This High Protein Beef Pasta serving packs about 550 calories, a fantastic 35g of protein to keep you going, roughly 70g of carbs, and about 15g of fat. For the full breakdown, you can check out our nutritional disclaimer page!
Share Your High Protein Beef Pasta Creation!
I’d absolutely LOVE to see your creations! Did you make this High Protein Beef Pasta? Snap a pic and tag me on social media – it makes my day to see what you’re whipping up! Or, even better, leave a comment below and tell me how it turned out, or maybe share your own little kitchen twists. It really helps other cooks out there, and honestly, I just love hearing from you all. You can also check out more about me and my kitchen adventures!
For more recipes follow me on PINTEREST
Print
High Protein Beef Pasta
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and satisfying pasta dish packed with protein from lean ground beef.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound whole wheat pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: beef pasta, high protein, ground beef, pasta recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal