High-Protein Baked Penne
A family friendly, meal prep dream
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!).