Description
Indulge in this hearty High Protein Italian Pasta Bake, packed with lean ground beef, wholesome pasta, and creamy cottage cheese. Perfect for muscle‑building meals, this comforting dish is easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian herb blend
- ⅓ cup (78.86 ml) low‑sodium chicken broth
- 12 oz (340.2 g) protein pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 small zucchini, cut into half moons
- 1 cup (210 g) cottage cheese
- 2 cups (490 g) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (112 g) shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3‑4 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian herb blend. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, about 6‑8 minutes.
- Pour in low‑sodium chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the pasta according to package directions, cooking it al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, zucchini halves, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Mix well.
- Fold the meat mixture into the pasta mixture, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the combined mixture to a greased 9×13‑inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and grated parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake in a pre‑heated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20‑25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip: Substitute ground turkey for a leaner option. This bake freezes well; store individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 620
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 70
Keywords: high protein, Italian, pasta bake, comfort food