High-Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti
SUNDAY PREP, WEEKDAY FUEL | SERVES 6 | ~590 CALORIES PER SERVING
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
For the Pasta & Meat Sauce
12 oz ziti or penne
1 lb lean ground turkey (93/7)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
For the Cheese Layer
2 cups (16 oz) cottage cheese
1 egg
½ cup grated Parmesan
¾ cup shredded mozzarella
For the Top
¾ cup shredded mozzarella
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the oven and start the pasta. Preheat to 375°F. Boil the pasta 2 minutes short of the package time, since it finishes in the oven. Drain.
Brown the turkey. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion and turkey 7–8 minutes, breaking the meat up, until browned. Stir in the garlic for 1 minute.
Build the sauce. Add the marinara and Italian seasoning and simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Mix the cheese layer. Stir the cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan, and ¾ cup mozzarella together in a bowl.
Combine. Toss the pasta and spinach into the meat sauce until the spinach starts to wilt. Fold in the cheese mixture.
Bake. Spread everything into a 9x13 dish and top with the remaining mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 10–15 more, until bubbly and lightly browned. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
SERVE IT WITH
A big green salad or roasted broccoli
Extra red pepper flakes and Parmesan
Garlic bread, if it's a heavy training week
STORAGE
Keeps in the fridge up to 4 days. Portion into containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or covered in the oven.
