Description

This High Protein Beef Pasta recipe offers a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious meal featuring lean ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs. Perfect for a balanced dinner, it combines whole wheat or lentil pasta with added veggies like peas for an extra boost of fiber and protein, topped with savory Parmesan cheese for a satisfying finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound lean ground beef (90/10 recommended)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Tomato Sauce & Seasonings

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pasta & Finishing Ingredients

1 pound pasta of your choice (whole wheat or lentil pasta recommended)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease to keep the sauce lean.
Sauté Onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the browned beef and cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant to build flavor.
Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Season the Sauce: Add dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if the sauce thickens too much to maintain consistency.
Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente.
Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
Add Peas to Sauce: Stir frozen peas into the simmering sauce and cook for a few minutes until heated through, adding extra nutrition and color.
Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat every strand with the flavorful sauce.
Serve: Dish out the pasta immediately, topping each serving with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Add extra red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Notes

For a richer sauce, you can simmer it longer than 30 minutes if time allows.
You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth to adjust the flavor or make it lighter.
Use whole wheat or lentil pasta to increase fiber and protein content.
If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to your taste.
Drain excess fat from the beef to reduce the overall fat content and keep the dish healthier.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: high protein beef pasta, lean ground beef recipe, healthy beef pasta, Italian beef pasta, protein-rich pasta dish