Description
A creamy and delicious high protein pasta dish featuring lean ground beef and whole wheat penne, perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, stirring until well combined.
- Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Add the cooked penne pasta and fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together until the spinach wilts and the pasta is coated in the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with Greek yogurt or a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg