High Protein Pasta
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This High Protein Pasta is a quick, creamy, and protein-packed dinner the whole family will devour in no time. The secret? My sauce is simple and smooth made with marinara and blended cottage cheese that tastes indulgent but is secretly loaded with nutrition. It's our go-to busy weeknight meal, and I'm not exaggerating when I say my kids' friends literally beg me to make it when they're over. Bonus: it comes together in under 30 minutes!
Why You'll Love This High Protein Pasta
- The Ultimate Comfort Food - This meal tastes like a warm, cozy hug.
- Nutrient-Packed- When you think of pasta, nutrient-packed doesn't typically come to mind. But it should with this recipe because it's very well-balanced! This pasta is high in protein and the sauce is nutrient packed!
- Customizable - You can use the noodle of your choice and it won't change this recipe. You can choose gluten-free noodles, high protein noodles, and any shape you'd like. You could also use chicken or ground turkey if you'd like, just season it well to add more flavor.
Nutrients in this recipe
Lycopene - This carotenoid is found in the marinara sauce and helps prevent your cells from damage and can reduce your risk of developing some cancers.
Calcium - The cottage cheese is a good source of calcium which not only promotes strong bones but also helps with muscle movement and nerve function.
Iron and Zinc - Lean ground beef is a good source of both iron and zinc which can help with healing and energy production.
The Ingredients:
- Pasta - To make this even higher protein, use protein pastas like Banza or the Barilla High Protein to give it a boost. You can also use gluten-free noodles here if needed.
- Meat - I prefer 93-96% lean ground beef to keep the fat content low.
- Marinara - Rao's is really the only way to go in my opinion but then again I think I'm their biggest fan.
- Cottage cheese - I typically choose a 2-4% fat cottage cheese and like the small curd for easier blending.
- Parmesan Cheese - I recommend shredding your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese will melt better and it just tastes better too.
- Italian Seasoning - this is optional, but I do love to add this in at the end for extra flavor.
How To Make High Protein Pasta
(Full Recipe Below)
Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
While the beef cooks, blend the cottage cheese until smooth, then stir in the marinara sauce.
Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, then pour in the sauce and cooked beef.
Stir well, sprinkle with Italian seasoning, and serve!
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Noodles - You can use any noodle you'd like in this recipe! Get the kids involved by letting them pick the noodle shape.
➡️ Bulk it up - This is one you could add cooked veggies to if you'd like!
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If you' love this High Protein Pasta, be sure to check these out!
Protein Packed Chicken Parm Casserole
Lighter Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
High Protein Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz dry pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and reduce heat to medium high, stirring every few minutes to keep pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Once you've added the pasta to the boiling water, grab a large skillet and brown the lean ground beef, crumbling and cooking until no longer pink.
- While the pasta and beef are cooking, make the sauce: blend marinara sauce and cottage cheese in a large blender. Set aside until ready to mix with pasta.
- After the pasta is fully cooked, drain off the water, then return the pasta to the large pot.Drain the grease from the ground beef, then add the beef to the cooked, drained pasta.
- Next add the marinara to the pasta and beef in the pot. Stir well.
- Top with shredded parmesan cheese and optional Italian seasoning blend. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used, as well as portion sizes. I calculate these values using my own ingredients and tools, but please treat them as a general guide-not a guarantee. For the most accurate results, consider using your own preferred nutrition calculator.
I love the high protein sauce in this recipe! What a great way to add extra protein to the recipe. Tastes so good too!!
Can’t get enough of this!
Really like this so yummy