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High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

A delicious and satisfying meal that combines rich beef flavors with creamy sauce and spinach. Perfect for a busy weeknight, it's high in protein and keeps you full.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz fettuccine pasta You can substitute with any pasta type.
Meat
  • 1 lb lean ground beef Can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken.
Sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted for a lower-fat cream.
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Can use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a vegan option.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Add more for extra flavor.
  • 2 cups fresh spinach Can add other veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning Add crushed red pepper for a touch of heat.
  • Salt and pepper to taste Adjust according to preference.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Start by boiling a pot of water. Add salt and cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cooking the Beef
  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Making the Sauce
  1. Add minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combining
  1. Add the cooked pasta and fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce and the spinach wilts.

Notes

Serve the pasta warm on a plate or in a bowl. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Pair it with a simple green salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. For quicker options, use pre-cooked pasta and feel free to customize with other vegetables.