Description
A hearty, cheesy, and protein-packed twist on the classic baked ziti, using creamy cottage cheese for a nutritious boost without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until just under al dente. Drain well.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, garlic, half the mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the cooked pasta with 2 cups of marinara sauce.
- Layer half the pasta into the prepared dish, top with cheese mixture, then add the remaining pasta and sauce.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil.
Notes
- Blend the cottage cheese if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for a crisp cheesy top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: High protein baked ziti, cottage cheese pasta bake, healthy baked ziti, high protein comfort food, baked ziti with cottage cheese