Description
Healthy High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a cozy, easy dinner that delivers all the comfort of classic baked pasta with a lighter, protein-packed twist. This cheesy baked ziti is perfect for weeknight dinner, meal prep, healthy dinner ideas, easy recipe planning, and family-friendly food ideas when you want something hearty, satisfying, and simple to make.
Ingredients
2 cups dry ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground turkey
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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 and cook the ziti until just slightly under al dente, then drain.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic.
4. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess liquid if needed.
5. Stir the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
7. In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with most of the meat sauce.
8. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the prepared baking dish. Add half of the pasta mixture, then half of the cottage cheese mixture, then a layer of mozzarella.
9. Repeat the layers and finish with the remaining mozzarella on top.
10. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly and lightly golden on top.
11. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta before baking, or the final ziti can turn too soft after it comes out of the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: healthy high protein cottage cheese baked ziti, high protein baked ziti, cottage cheese baked ziti, healthy dinner ideas, easy dinner recipe, baked pasta, meal prep dinner, family dinner