Go Back

High Protein Cheeseburger Pasta - Comfort Food With a Nutritious Twist

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces high-protein pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90–96% lean) or ground turkey
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (or Dijon)
  • 1/3 cup diced dill pickles, plus extra for topping
  • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt or whipped cottage cheese
  • 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar (or regular, if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons light cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
  • Olive oil spray or 1 teaspoon olive oil

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Brown the beef. In a wide skillet or the same pot, heat a light coating of olive oil over medium-high. Add the ground beef and break it up. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook until browned and no longer pink, 5–7 minutes.
  3. Add aromatics. Stir in the onion and cook until softened, 3–4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Build the sauce base. Pour in the broth and crushed tomatoes. Stir in ketchup and mustard. Simmer for 3–5 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  5. Make it “cheeseburger.” Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Greek yogurt (or whipped cottage cheese) until smooth. Add the shredded cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until melted and creamy. If the sauce feels too thick, loosen with a splash of reserved pasta water.
  6. Add pickles and pasta. Stir in the diced dill pickles, then fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated. Warm through for 1–2 minutes, stirring gently.
  7. Finish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives. Add extra pickles on top if you like. Serve hot.