Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta (Printable Version)

A protein-packed pasta dish with ground beef, cottage cheese, and rich mozzarella baked to golden perfection.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Pasta

01 - 340 grams whole wheat penne pasta

→ Protein

02 - 450 grams lean ground beef (93% lean or higher)

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

05 - 5 ml Italian seasoning
06 - 5 ml salt
07 - 2.5 ml black pepper

→ Dairy

08 - 475 ml full-fat cottage cheese
09 - 240 ml plain Greek yogurt
10 - 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 100 grams grated Parmesan cheese

→ Sauces and Garnish

12 - 475 ml marinara sauce
13 - 30 grams fresh parsley, chopped

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook whole wheat penne pasta until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package recommendations. Drain and reserve 120 ml pasta water for potential texture adjustments.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook until beef reaches 74°C internal temperature, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine full-fat cottage cheese and plain Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
04 - Preheat oven to 190°C. In a large baking dish, layer cooked pasta, then evenly distribute beef mixture over it. Pour marinara sauce on top and mix gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Spread the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt mixture evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese to cover the surface completely.
06 - Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden brown and bubbling. Remove and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to facilitate slicing and enhance texture. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Use fat-free cottage cheese and Greek yogurt for a lower-fat version.
02 - Add vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini to the beef mixture for added nutrition.
03 - Adjust marinara sauce quantity according to taste preference.
04 - Ensure ground beef reaches an internal temperature of 74°C for safety.

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