High Protein Classic Baked Pasta
Elevate your comfort food game with this High Protein Classic Baked Pasta, a wholesome twist on a crowd-favorite dish. Packed with lean ground turkey, nutritious whole grain penne, and protein-rich cottage cheese, this recipe is a delicious and satisfying way to fuel your day. A hearty tomato sauce infused with Italian seasoning and a touch of spice from red pepper flakes perfectly complements the addition of fresh spinach for a boost of greens. Topped with gooey mozzarella and savory parmesan, this baked pasta delivers both flavor and nourishment in every bite. Ready in under an hour, it's the ultimate meal for family dinners or meal prepping, combining healthy ingredients with indulgent flavors for an irresistible dish you’ll want to make again and again. Perfect for searches like "protein-packed pasta recipes" or "easy baked pasta dinner," this recipe is a must-try.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams whole grain penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 500 grams ground turkey
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 400 grams diced tomatoes
- 250 grams tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 150 grams fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 200 grams cottage cheese
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add whole grain penne pasta and cook until al dente, around 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and cottage cheese. Mix well to ensure the pasta is well coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a large baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan evenly over the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let the baked pasta cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your high-protein classic baked pasta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3938 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 144.8 g | 186% | |
| Saturated Fat | 55.3 g | 276% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 580 mg | 193% | |
| Sodium | 6154 mg | 268% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 441.1 g | 160% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 52.6 g | 188% | |
| Total Sugars | 51.1 g | ||
| Protein | 247.8 g | 496% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 2577 mg | 198% | |
| Iron | 34.0 mg | 189% | |
| Potassium | 3397 mg | 72% | |
*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.
