Description
A delicious and creamy high-protein beef pasta featuring chickpea flour pasta and a rich, flavorful sauce made with lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy cheeses. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe combines wholesome ingredients for a balanced and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 10 oz chickpea flour pasta (or any high-protein pasta)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 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 it aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat up some 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’re nice and soft.
- Brown the beef and season: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until it’s browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Toss in the crushed garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper, and let it cook for another minute.
- Add tomato elements and simmer: Mix in the tomato paste and tomato sauce. Let it all simmer together for about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate cream cheese and sour cream: Stir in the cream cheese and sour cream until everything is smooth and creamy. Let the sauce cook just enough to be hot.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it in the creamy beef sauce, making sure everything is coated well. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if it looks too thick.
- Garnish and serve: Tear up the fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the pasta, then adjust the seasoning to taste and serve hot!
Notes
- Use chickpea flour pasta to increase the protein content, or substitute with any other high-protein pasta.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a perfect creamy texture.
- Light cream cheese and sour cream keep the sauce creamy but lower in fat.
- Fresh basil added at the end gives a burst of fresh aroma and flavor.
- For a spicier variation, consider adding chili flakes with the paprika.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
