Description
This Healthy High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a cozy, cheesy, protein-packed pasta bake made for easy dinner nights when you want comfort food that still feels balanced. Tender ziti is layered with savory meat sauce, creamy blended cottage cheese, Parmesan, and melty mozzarella for a family-friendly baked pasta dish that works for dinner ideas, meal prep, high protein meals, easy recipe nights, and satisfying food ideas.
Ingredients
12 ounces ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the ziti for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey or lean ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
4. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Stir in the tomato paste, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer for 5 to 8 minutes.
6. Add the cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, remaining salt, and remaining black pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
7. Stir the cooked ziti into the meat sauce until fully coated.
8. Spread half of the sauced pasta into the baking dish. Spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
9. Repeat with the remaining pasta, cottage cheese mixture, and mozzarella.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
11. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use small-curd or low-fat cottage cheese and blend it until completely smooth for the creamiest texture.
Slightly undercook the pasta before baking so the ziti stays tender instead of mushy.
Let the baked ziti rest before serving so the layers settle and each scoop holds together better.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: healthy high protein cottage cheese baked ziti, cottage cheese baked ziti, high protein pasta bake, easy dinner, baked pasta, dinner ideas, meal prep pasta