Description

Looking for a protein-packed comfort food that won’t leave you feeling heavy? This Healthy High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is exactly what you need! It’s the perfect quick dinner recipe that’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with lean protein—thanks to cottage cheese and ground turkey. Whether you’re after healthy meal prep ideas, a new twist on weeknight dinners, or a satisfying pasta dish for guests, this easy recipe delivers it all. With whole wheat pasta, blended cottage cheese, and bubbling mozzarella, it’s the ultimate balance of hearty and wholesome.

Ingredients

12 oz whole wheat ziti pasta

1 lb lean ground turkey

1 1/2 cups cottage cheese (blended)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion until soft, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

4. Add ground turkey, cook until browned, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

5. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, simmer for 10–15 minutes.

6. Blend cottage cheese until smooth, mix with egg, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan.

7. In a large baking dish, layer half the pasta, half the meat sauce, and half the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.

8. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10–15 minutes more until golden.

10. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Blend the cottage cheese for a ricotta-like texture.

Don’t overcook the pasta; it will continue cooking in the oven.

You can prep the whole dish a day in advance and bake when ready.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 390
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: healthy baked ziti, high protein dinner, easy pasta bake, meal prep pasta, cottage cheese ziti