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Healthy High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti

A nutritious twist on the classic baked ziti featuring creamy cottage cheese and hearty marinara sauce for a family-friendly dish packed with protein.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 4 cups marinara sauce Ensure a smooth sauce for better coating of pasta.
Cheese Filling
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Reserve some for the top layer
  • 1 large egg Acts as a binder.
Vegetable Additions
  • 2 cups spinach (fresh or frozen and thawed)
Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Enhances the flavor.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Adjust to personal preference.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, cooked spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined and creamy.
  4. In a large bowl, combine your pasta with the marinara sauce, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated. Fold in the cheese mixture until incorporated.
Baking
  1. Pour half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer on half of the remaining marinara sauce, followed by the rest of the pasta. Top with the remaining marinara sauce and finish with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
  2. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until golden and bubbly on top.
Serving
  1. Let the Healthy High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

You can experiment with different types of vegetables, such as bell peppers or zucchini, for added nutrition. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.