Protein-Packed Pasta Recipes You’ll Love To Make

If you’re looking to add a simple, protein-packed meal to your pasta recipes, this sheet pan pasta bake is a winner. It’s loaded with lean ground beef, high-protein pasta, creamy cottage cheese, and plenty of melty Italian cheese, all baked together in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for those busy nights when you want something satisfying but easy to make.

Ingredients to make this Pasta Recipes

• 1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef or sirloin

• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, divided

• 32 ounces marinara sauce

• 1 pound high-protein pasta like rigatoni or farfalle

• 1 1/2 cups small curd or whipped cottage cheese

• 3 cups shredded Italian blend cheese

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a large sheet pan.

2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion. Season with half the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until the beef is browned and onions are soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

3. Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef mixture, then remove from heat.

4. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until just al dente this means a little firmer than usual, about 2 minutes less than the package says. Drain well.

5. Spread the beef and sauce mix evenly across your sheet pan. Layer the cooked pasta on top. Dollop the cottage cheese over the pasta, then sprinkle with the shredded Italian cheese. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly on top.

6. Bake uncovered for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

7. Take it out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Prep Time

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Cook: 25 minutes

• Total time: 40 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, serves 6) about this Pasta Recipes

• Calories: Around 450

• Protein: Roughly 40 grams

• Carbs: About 35 grams

• Fat: Approximately 15 grams

• Fiber: Close to 4 grams

• Sodium: Around 750 milligrams

FAQ

Can I swap the beef for something else?
Sure! Ground turkey or chicken works well too. The flavor will be a little different, but it’s still tasty.

What if I don’t have high-protein pasta?
No problem, regular pasta works fine just keep in mind the protein level will be a bit lower. Many pasta recipes use regular pasta without any issues.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can put it together in the pan, cover it, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. Store any leftovers in a sealed container and freeze for up to three months. Just make sure to reheat thoroughly.

Source: www.allrecipes.com