Some dinners just get it done. This Creamy Beef and Shells? It shows up, shows off, and leaves zero leftovers behind.
Think tender pasta shells coated in a rich, velvety sauce, packed with seasoned ground beef and boosted with a few smart, high-protein upgrades. It tastes like classic comfort food—but with a nutritious twist that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. IMO, that’s the sweet spot.
Each serving clocks in at a solid 43–45 grams of protein. Yes, per bowl. Whether you’re chasing fitness goals, juggling work and kids, or just trying to hit your daily numbers without eating plain chicken for the fifth time this week, this dish pulls its weight. It’s one of those Easy Healthy Hearty Meals that works for weeknights, meal prep, or even Healthy Easy Dinner Ideas For One when you want leftovers that actually excite you.
The protein boost? It’s stacked. Ground beef leads the charge—one pound delivers around 77–80 grams of protein. Go super lean or standard; both bring the gains. You can also swap in turkey, ground chicken, or sausage if that’s what’s in your fridge. That flexibility makes it one of those go-to Healthy Dinner Recipes With Ground Meat you’ll come back to again and again.
Then comes the glow-up: plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. A cup and a half adds 36 grams of protein and keeps the sauce ultra creamy without feeling heavy. Cheddar brings another 56 grams. The pasta adds 21. Even the broth chips in with 6. Every ingredient earns its spot.
It’s basically a Pasta Bake With Meat disguised as a weeknight hero—perfect for 4 Serving Meals, Easy Dinner Meat options, and even Dinner Recipes For Family Cheap. When it comes to Meal Ideas For Dinner Ground Beef or Easy Healthy Pasta Meals, this one checks all the boxes.
Just don’t forget to weigh and measure if you want those protein numbers to be accurate. Eyeballing it? That’s how math betrays you.
Delicious Creamy Beef and Shells - Easy Healthy Hearty High Protein Meals for Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning, split into two 1-teaspoon portions
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 6 oz shell pasta
- 3 cups broth (chicken or beef)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
Instructions
Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground meat. Break it apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Sauté for about 4–5 minutes, until browned and no pink remains.
Carefully drain off any excess grease. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, chopped onion, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes, just until the onions soften and release their aroma.
Mix in the tomato paste, uncooked shell pasta, broth, and the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Make sure the pasta is mostly covered by liquid. Add a splash more broth or water if needed—this step helps the shells cook evenly.
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the pasta becomes tender. Every 4–5 minutes, lift the lid and give everything a good stir so nothing sticks to the bottom. If the mixture looks too dry, pour in a little extra liquid and stir again.
Once the pasta is soft, remove the lid. Stir in the shredded cheddar and fresh spinach. Cook just until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts down.
Take the pan off the heat and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. After it cools slightly, fold in the Greek yogurt and mix until creamy.
Be sure to wait before adding the yogurt—stirring it into a very hot pan can cause it to curdle. Serve and enjoy.
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