Description
Craving a comforting, protein-packed pasta bake? Look no further than this delectable Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta Bake with Ground Beef! This hearty dish combines the creamy goodness of cottage cheese with lean ground beef, whole wheat pasta, and a zesty marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- Whole wheat penne pasta
- Lean ground beef
- Diced onion
- Minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cottage cheese
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1. Start by boiling the whole wheat penne pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to drain it well once cooked.
- 2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease, then season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 3. In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese and plain Greek yogurt.
- 4. To assemble the pasta bake, start by mixing the cooked pasta, beef mixture, and marinara sauce in a large baking dish. Then, dollop the cottage cheese filling over the top and spread it evenly. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the entire dish.
- 5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
- 6. To add a touch of freshness and color, garnish the baked pasta with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils.
If making gluten-free, swap whole wheat penne for gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 400
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 600
- Sodium: 12
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 40
- Trans Fat: 70
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 35
- Cholesterol: 40