Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta Bake with Ground Beef
A cozy one-dish dinner featuring tender pasta, savory ground beef, and creamy cottage cheese, all baked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: High Protein
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (any shape)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook 12 ounces of pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir the 15 oz can of tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper into the browned beef. Simmer briefly until warmed through.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, 2 cups cottage cheese, and half of the shredded cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Add the beef and tomato sauce mixture to the pasta-cheese bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Drain pasta well to avoid excess water. Adjust seasoning based on your tomato sauce’s saltiness.