High Protein Veggie Packed Pasta Bake
High Protein Veggie Packed Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta, or other small tube pasta
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, one can
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, blended until smooth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for mixing in
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Season the cooked ground beef with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Add the chopped onions, zucchini, and mushrooms to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and the blended cottage cheese. Stir well to combine all ingredients, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Transfer the entire pasta and sauce mixture into a large baking dish (approximately 9x13 inches).
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Top the pasta mixture with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the dish is heated through.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
High Protein Veggie Packed Pasta Bake
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta, or other small tube pasta
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, one can
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, blended until smooth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for mixing in
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Season the cooked ground beef with black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Add the chopped onions, zucchini, and mushrooms to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and the blended cottage cheese. Stir well to combine all ingredients, creating a creamy sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Transfer the entire pasta and sauce mixture into a large baking dish (approximately 9x13 inches).
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Top the pasta mixture with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the dish is heated through.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
⏱️ 5 min