This high protein creamy ground beef noodle casserole is rich, cozy, and packed with flavor, but gets a boost from cottage cheese that makes it extra satisfying without feeling heavy.

A nostalgic, family-friendly ground beef noodle casserole that uses cottage cheese to make a genuinely high-protein dinner—without tasting like “health food.” Each serving has 18g of protein!

It’s like a homemade version of Hamburger Helper—cheap, familiar, kid-friendly and comforting, but this one is secretly high protein which makes it more healthy!

Love easy ground beef dinners? Try our Korean Ground Beef Noodles or Korean Beef Cottage Cheese Protein Bowl next.

My mom was in the depths of motherhood—five kids, a husband traveling a lot for work, and dinner was starting to feel like a burden. Then my grandma called and said, “I have this casserole recipe for you. It’s super easy and cheap to make!”

My mom needed both, and this casserole has been in our family ever since.

Over the years, we’ve figured out how to make it even better: cottage cheese makes the filling extra creamy while adding protein, without making this taste remotely like “health food.”

This one pot Garlic Butter Pasta is creamy, cozy, and packed with rich flavor from garlic, butter, and freshly grated parmesan. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones you come back to over and over again.

It’s the perfect quick dinner, easy side dish, or late-night comfort meal that is ready in just 15 minutes!

In college, I lived on buttery noodles with mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. It was quick, easy, and I wasn’t super into spaghetti sauce, so it was my way of enjoying pasta. It’s perfect for anyone who’s single, in college, has a family, or is an empty nester, so I love that it works for everyone! This garlic butter pasta is an elevated version of my dorm room favorite!

Ingredients You’ll Need For Garlic Butter Pasta

This recipe uses just a handful of pantry staples, but when they come together, the result is silky, flavorful pasta with incredible depth. Freshly grated parmesan makes all the difference here, so don’t skip that step.

• Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for the best melt and flavor. Blending it into a fine texture helps it cling beautifully to the pasta.
• Olive Oil: Sautés the garlic and help toast the pasta slightly for added depth.
• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic gives the dish its signature savory flavor.
• Ditalini Pasta: Small tube-shaped pasta that cooks directly in the broth and absorbs flavor as it softens. Orzo or macaroni works in a pinch.
• Chicken Broth: Cooks the pasta while infusing it with rich, savory flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds silkiness and brings everything together into a smooth sauce.
• Unsalted Butter: Stirred in at the end for richness and a glossy finish.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Balance and enhance all the flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds freshness and color right before serving.
• Aglio Seasoning or Red Pepper Flakes: Optional for a little heat and extra depth.

With just a few simple ingredients, this one pot garlic butter pasta transforms into a creamy, garlicky dish. Measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make This Pasta Dish

This is a true one-pot pasta recipe, meaning the noodles cook right in the broth. That means less cleanup and more flavor infused into every bite.

1. Blend: Add a chunk of Parmesan to a blender and pulse until finely grated, almost powdery. This helps it melt smooth