Description
A delightful comfort food dish combining hearty pasta, protein-rich ground beef, and creamy cottage cheese, perfect for family dinners or post-workout meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93% lean or higher)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cottage cheese (full-fat preferred)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat penne pasta until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package indicates. Drain thoroughly, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lean ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Drain excess grease, then season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, then the beef mixture, followed by the marinara sauce. Mix gently. Dollop the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta and spread it evenly. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling, then let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with sautéed lentils or diced vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 80mg