Description
A creamy, high-protein baked ziti made with blended cottage cheese and lean ground turkey. This comforting dish is ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Whole Wheat Ziti Pasta
- 1 pound (450 grams) Lean Ground Turkey or Chicken (93% lean or higher)
- 15-ounce container (425 grams) Small-Curd Cottage Cheese
- 2 cups (480 ml) Marinara Sauce (low sugar)
- 2 cups (200 grams) Low-Moisture, Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Olive Oil for cooking
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti noodles and cook until slightly al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- While pasta boils, blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until completely smooth and creamy.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break it up with a wooden spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Cook until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft. Pour in marinara sauce and blended cottage cheese. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the drained ziti noodles to the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat every noodle. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta initially as it will finish cooking in the oven. Ensure cottage cheese is blended until smooth to avoid a grainy texture. Brown the meat properly for added flavor. Let the dish rest before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 42
Keywords: high protein, baked ziti, healthy dinner, cottage cheese pasta, meal prep, quick dinner, lean turkey, comfort food