The High-Protein Vodka Pasta That Doesn’t Taste Like Diet Food and Will Have Your Family Asking For More.
High-Protein Vodka Pasta with Ground Beef
I’ll be honest. I wasn’t expecting this one to be as good as it was.
When you’ve lost over 180 pounds, people assume you spend your life eating grilled chicken and salads. The truth is, I still love comfort food. I’ve just learned how to make it work for my goals.
This High-Protein Vodka Pasta is creamy, rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor, but it’s also loaded with protein thanks to protein pasta, lean ground beef, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt. It has all the comfort food vibes of traditional vodka pasta without leaving me hungry an hour later.
The best part? Even Kiki gave this one a 9 out of 10, and she’s usually my toughest food critic.
Whether you’re looking for a high-protein dinner, a healthier comfort food recipe, or just an excuse to eat pasta without feeling guilty about it, this recipe delivers. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner, filling enough for meal prep, and delicious enough that nobody will believe it’s packed with protein.
If you’ve been searching for a high-protein vodka pasta that doesn’t taste like diet food, you’ve found it. To make this delicious recipe, you will need:
- Protein rotini pasta ( I prefer Brami)
- 93% lean ground beef
- Rao’s marinara
- Cottage cheese
- Fage Greek yogurt
- Boursin Garlic Herb cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cajun seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic butter seasoning (I prefer Guy Fieri)
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili crisp, optional
If you’ve tried this recipe and loved it and would like more, check them out here.
High Protein Creamy Vodka Rotini
If comfort food and protein goals had a love child, this would be it. Tender rotini pasta is wrapped in a rich, creamy homemade vodka sauce made with Rao's, cottage cheese, Fage yogurt, Parmesan, and melty mozzarella for all the flavor of a restaurant-style pasta dish without the heavy guilt trip afterward.
Seasoned lean ground beef adds a hearty, satisfying bite, while Boursin cheese melts into the sauce, creating a silky, velvety texture that tastes far more indulgent than it actually is. Finished with a sprinkle of mozzarella and a touch of chili crunch for a little kick, every spoonful is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
This is the kind of high-protein comfort food that makes you forget you're eating with goals in mind. It's warm, filling, family-friendly, and perfect for those nights when you want something cozy, satisfying, and just a little bit extra.
One bite and you'll swear this came from your favorite Italian restaurant. The protein content will remind you it came from Andi's kitchen. 🍝❤️🧀🔥
Ingredients
- 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
- ½ box Protein Spiral Rotini
- 1 (24 oz) jar Rao's Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup Fage 0% Greek yogurt
- ⅓ wheel Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (mixed into pasta)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella parmesan mix (for topping)
- 4 tbsp chili oil (optional)
- Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Garlic Butter Seasoning
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
- Optional Toppings
- Chili crisp
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the protein rotini according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
- Add the Rao's marinara sauce, cottage cheese, Fage Greek yogurt, Boursin cheese, Parmesan cheese, Garlic Butter Seasoning, Italian Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, and cayenne pepper to the beef and four tbsp of chili oil. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Fold the cooked protein rotini into the sauce and stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a crockpot or oven-safe baking dish. Stir in ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- If using a crockpot, cover and cook on Low for 1-2 hours, or until hot and bubbly, and the cheese is melted.
- If baking, cover and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, then uncover for the last 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Top with chili crisp, additional Parmesan cheese, or fresh parsley if desired.
- Split keto hot dog buns in half.
- Spray generously with Guy Fieri Garlic Butter Spray.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Air fry at 375°F for 3-5 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Serve alongside the pasta and use to soak up every last drop of sauce.
