Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta Bake
Indulge in the creamy, hearty goodness of Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta Bake, a delightful dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep. This comforting pasta bake features whole wheat penne tossed with lean ground beef, zesty marinara sauce, and a rich cottage cheese filling. It’s not only high in protein but also easy to make, allowing you to customize with your favorite vegetables or alternative proteins like turkey or lamb. Ready in under an hour, this recipe guarantees satisfaction without the guilt, making it a go-to choice for nutritious weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Whole wheat penne pasta
- Lean ground beef
- Diced onion
- Minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Cottage cheese
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook whole wheat penne according to package instructions; drain well.
- In a skillet, brown lean ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until onions are translucent. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese and plain Greek yogurt until smooth.
- In a baking dish, mix cooked pasta with the beef mixture and marinara sauce until well combined. Spread the cottage cheese filling over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the bake (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg