Creamy, protein-rich pasta with cottage cheese, beef, and whole wheat penne.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta & Cheese
01 - 12 oz whole wheat penne pasta
02 - 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
03 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Meat & Vegetables
06 - 1 lb lean ground beef, 93% lean or higher
07 - 1 medium onion, diced
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces & Seasonings
09 - 2 cups marinara sauce
10 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook whole wheat penne until al dente, approximately 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain thoroughly and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for later use if needed.
03 - While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook until beef is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain excess grease. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat.
04 - In a mixing bowl, blend cottage cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
05 - In a large 9x13 inch baking dish, layer the cooked pasta first. Evenly distribute the beef mixture over the pasta, then pour marinara sauce on top. Gently mix to combine. Spoon the cottage cheese mixture over the pasta and spread evenly with a spatula. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, covering the surface completely.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbling around the edges.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
