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Recipes /
Protein-Packed Pasta with Homemade Marinara Meat Sauce

February 28, 2025

We’re bringing you a LeVeque Family Favorite with a twist — Pasta Night like you've never had before! We’re swapping out traditional pasta for one of my new go-to favorites: Chef's Kiss Lupini Bean Protein Pasta, and making our marinara meat sauce completely from scratch.

This recipe strikes the perfect balance between comfort and nutrition. It gives you all the cozy, indulgent vibes of a classic pasta dish, but with a modern, health-forward spin. From hidden veggies to the sneaky protein-packed pasta, this dish is not only delicious but nourishing for your body as well.

Now, when it comes to pasta, most people grab whatever box is in front of them — but let me tell you, not all pastas are created equal. Traditional pasta is often loaded with refined carbs and lacking in nutrition, and as a mom and nutritionist, fueling up without compromising blood sugar is essential. That’s why I’m obsessed with this high-protein pasta swap: Chef's Kiss Lupin Bean Protein Pasta — it’s a total game-changer. It delivers all the pasta satisfaction you crave, but without the blood sugar spike. It's high in fiber, low in carbohydrates, naturally ketogenic, and the best part? It doesn’t taste like a “healthy” alternative at all. It has that satisfying, pasta-like texture you crave, but with a much more nourishing profile. And it cooks in just 4-6 minutes! Use code BEWELLBYKELLY to save 25% off your first order!

The marinara sauce is the true heart of this dish, and trust me — making it from scratch is easier than you think. It’s the perfect way to sneak in extra veggies for your family, without anyone even noticing.

Want to see how I put everything together? Be sure to check out the latest episode of The Fab Four Kitchen on YouTube, where I’ll show you how to turn pasta night into a Fab Four experience! I’ll also share some sneaky tips for boosting nutrient density that you’ll want to try in your own kitchen.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4-6
Freezer Friendly
No

Ingredients

1 box Chef's Kiss Classic Protein Rotini

Homemade Marinara Meat Sauce:

1 lb grass-fed beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
5 minced garlic cloves
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 tsp - 1 tbsp tomato paste
1 medium zucchini, shredded
1 tsp salt
1 tsp - 1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2-4 fresh basil leaves

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir occasionally and cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and the garlic is fragrant.
Add the tomato paste directly to the bottom of the pan and stir to combine with the onion and garlic. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and stir to combine with the tomato paste.
Season with salt, red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat), and oregano.
Add 2-4 fresh basil leaves to the sauce and let it simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes. This will allow all the flavors to meld together and deepen.
While your sauce is simmering, heat a separate pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Once fully cooked, remove from the heat.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the lupin bean pasta to the boiling water and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the pasta for about 4-6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
After the sauce has simmered, use an immersion blender to blend the tomato and onion mixture to create a smoother texture.
Grate the zucchini directly into the sauce and stir it in. Let the zucchini cook in the sauce for about 5 more minutes.
Add the cooked ground beef into the marinara sauce and stir to combine.
Pour in the cooked lupin bean pasta and toss everything together, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the sauce.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or fresh basil as desired.