High Protein Cheesy Baked Penne
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this High Protein Cheesy Baked Penne, a nutrient-packed twist on a classic pasta bake that's as satisfying as it is delicious. Featuring tender penne pasta, lean ground turkey, and a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, this dish is elevated by creamy cottage cheese and a melty trio of part-skim mozzarella, Parmesan, and freshly chopped spinach. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, this recipe combines robust flavors with a protein boost to fuel your day. With a golden, bubbly cheese topping and just 15 minutes of prep time, it's a crowd-pleasing favorite that's nutritious and irresistible. Healthy comfort food has never been this easy—or this flavorful!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1.5 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the penne pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and sauté the diced onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the onion and cook for another 1 minute.
Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning, and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, meat sauce mixture, cottage cheese, and chopped spinach.
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the pasta.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, and finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the baked penne cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your high protein cheesy baked penne!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3069 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 102.3 g | 131% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.5 g | 192% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 476 mg | 159% | |
| Sodium | 5988 mg | 260% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 340.6 g | 124% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.1 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 62.5 g | ||
| Protein | 220.9 g | 442% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 2202 mg | 169% | |
| Iron | 30.5 mg | 169% | |
| Potassium | 5479 mg | 117% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
