High Protein Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

Fuel your day with this hearty and satisfying High Protein Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce, a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition. Featuring tender high-protein penne pasta tossed in a robust, homemade meat sauce made with lean ground beef, savory herbs, and rich crushed tomatoes, this dish is both wholesome and delicious. A touch of red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat, while grated Parmesan and fresh basil garnish the dish with an elegant finish. Ready in just 50 minutes and packed with protein, it’s an ideal recipe for a family dinner or post-workout meal. Easy to make and bursting with classic Italian flavors, this pasta recipe ensures you'll savor every bite while staying fueled and energized.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces high-protein penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the high-protein penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 6

Drain any excess fat from the skillet before returning it to the heat.

Step 7

Add the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 8

Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the sauce cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

Step 10

Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the meat sauce.

Step 11

Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil leaves.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1878.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2608.0

Total Fat 81.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 4381.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.2g	0%
Total Sugars 48.7g
Protein 209.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 844.2mg	0%
Iron 34.1mg	0%
Potassium 4026.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.5%

Protein: 31.4%

Carbs: 41.1%