- 12 oz pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Before draining, reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds.
Lower the heat.
Add the milk and Parmesan and stir gently.
Remove the skillet from high heat before adding the Greek yogurt. Stir continuously so the sauce remains smooth.
Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Add the spinach and cooked pasta.
Toss everything together until the spinach wilts and the pasta is coated with the creamy sauce.
Finish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Pro Tip
Don’t boil the Greek yogurt sauce aggressively. Gentle heat helps maintain a smooth texture.
2. High Protein Ground Beef Pasta
If you enjoyed our High Protein Ground Beef Recipes, this pasta is a natural next recipe to try.
Seasoned ground beef is combined with tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, spinach, and pasta for an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan
- Fresh basil or parsley
Preparation
Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and break it apart as it cooks.
When the beef is browned, add the onion and mushrooms.
Cook until the vegetables soften.
Add the garlic and tomato paste.
Stir for about one minute.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer the sauce for 10–15 minutes.
Add the spinach during the final few minutes.
Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet.
Toss until thoroughly coated.
Finish with Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Serving Suggestion
A simple green salad or roasted broccoli makes an excellent side dish.
3. Garlic Shrimp High Protein Pasta
Shrimp cooks incredibly quickly, making it perfect when you need dinner on the table without spending an hour in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup Parmesan
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley