Description
A creamy, protein-packed pasta bake that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. This dish is a comforting winner, full of flavor and leftover potential.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta
- 1 pound ground beef (or any ground protein)
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley or basil)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain.
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat.
- Combine cooked pasta, browned beef, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and half of the shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Make sure to cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy in the bake. Feel free to substitute the ground protein or cheese for different variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta bake, creamy pasta, protein packed, dinner recipe, easy recipe, cheesy pasta