High-Protein Baked Penne: A Family-Friendly, Meal-Prep Dream
If you’re looking for a high-protein, family-approved meal that’s easy to prep and tastes like pure comfort, this High-Protein Baked Penne is it! Packed with lean ground turkey, a creamy protein-packed sauce, and gooey mozzarella, it’s the perfect balance of nourishing and satisfying. Plus, it makes a killer meal prep option—because let’s be real, no one has time to cook from scratch every night!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Protein-Packed – With lean ground turkey and blended cottage cheese, you’re getting a protein boost in every bite.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and totally customizable.
- Meal-Prep Friendly – Make it once and have leftovers for days.
- Kid & Husband Approved – A cheesy pasta bake? Enough said!
High-Protein Baked Penne
Ingredients
- 2 boxes 16 oz each penne pasta (gluten-free or regular)
- 1 lb ground turkey or swap for ground beef if preferred
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp oregano
- Salt to taste
- 1 large jar 24 oz of any pasta sauce (I used vodka sauce for extra creaminess!)
- 1 container 16 oz cottage cheese (trust me on this one—it blends into the perfect creamy sauce!)
- 1 bag 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- (optional) Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Boil the penne pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Protein: In a large pan over medium heat, cook the ground turkey (or beef) until fully browned. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, and salt to taste. Remove from heat.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the pasta sauce and cottage cheese. Add a little salt if needed, then blend until smooth. This trick gives the sauce a creamy, cheesy texture without the heaviness of traditional cream sauces.
- Assemble the Dish: In a 13x9-inch baking dish, mix the cooked penne, meat mixture, and blended sauce until evenly combined.
- Cheese it Up: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake to Perfection: Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve & Enjoy: Let it cool slightly before serving (because no one wants to burn their mouth on molten cheese!).
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
- Serving Size: Makes about 10 servings, perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: This dish reheats like a dream! Just pop a portion in the microwave or warm it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Freezer-Friendly: Assemble everything in a foil tray, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When ready to eat, bake straight from frozen at 375°F for about an hour.
I am officially obsessed…
This High-Protein Baked Penne is the perfect blend of indulgence and nutrition—because eating healthy should never mean boring or bland! Whether you’re feeding your family or setting yourself up for a stress-free week of meal prep, this dish is a total winner. Give it a try, and let me know if you’re obsessed as much as I am!
