High-Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti with Lean Turkey

This creamy baked ziti blends cottage cheese into the marinara for a smooth, protein-rich sauce, then layers it with lean ground turkey, mozzarella, and tender pasta for a satisfying family dinner.

Prep: 20 min · Cook: 35 min · Yield: 6 · Method: Oven

Ingredients

• 12 ounces ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 3 cloves garlic
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 large large egg
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil

Cooking instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of olive oil. (about 5 min) — 375°F
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain well. (about 10 min) — Boiling
3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 3 minutes. (about 10 min) — Medium-high heat
4. Blend the cottage cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the black pepper until mostly smooth. Stir the blended mixture into the drained pasta. (about 3 min) — None
5. Spread half of the turkey sauce in the baking dish. Add half of the pasta, then repeat with the remaining sauce and pasta. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top. (about 5 min) — None
6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the center reaches 165°F. (about 35 min) — 375°F
7. Rest the baked ziti for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh basil, then serve. (about 10 min) — None