easy baked ziti with high-protein pasta — Makes: *5 Servings*
Per Serving: 40g Protein | 378 Cal

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When the weather gets chillier, you probably find yourself craving comfort food. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with a little comfort now and again, most comfort food dishes aren’t exactly high in protein, fiber, and other nutrients that you may be prioritizing if you find yourself on a health and wellness journey. This easy baked ziti, however, isn’t like the comfort food recipes you’re used to. It’s high in protein, fuss-free, and exceptionally cozy, making it the perfect recipe to keep in your back pocket all winter long.

Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or you’re cooking for a crowd over the holidays, this high-protein baked ziti will soon become everyone’s favorite comforting dish.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

Protein-Packed: Each serving of this warming, comforting baked ziti contains 40 grams of protein, making it just the thing to keep you full on busy days or to help you recover after a hard workout.
Comes Together in Just One Pan: You’ll make this entire dish in just one large skillet (including baking), which means less clean-up after dinner and more time to relax.
Quick and Easy: This baked ziti is ready in just 30 minutes, making it just as well suited to a busy weeknight as it is to a special occasion. Plus, because it’s made with pasta, marinara sauce, savory ground beef, and rich mozzarella cheese, it’s a super comforting crowd-pleaser.
Made with Simple Ingredients: A mixture of onion and garlic, ground beef, seasonings, marinara sauce, fresh spinach, pasta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and fresh herbs, this classic baked ziti recipe is filled with pantry staples, so it's easy to whip up any night of the week.

easy baked ziti garnished with basil leaves

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage
1 teaspoon salt
Black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (I used Yo Mama’s, but Cucina Antica is another great low-calorie option)
Handful of spinach
1 box Kaizen Pasta ziti (or your favorite high-protein pasta) - any tube-shaped pasta will work in this recipe
1/2 cup low-fat blended cottage cheese
Light shredded mozzarella for topping
Fresh basil and flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Turn your oven on and preheat it to 400 degrees F.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe, skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Season and Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and season with the salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes (you could also use Italian seasoning instead of just the oregano). Cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
Stir in the Sauce and Spinach: Add the marinara sauce to the pan with the ground beef (or cooked sausage) and sprinkle in the spinach. Stir to combine, until the sauce begins to simmer and the spinach wilts.
Add the Pasta: Pour the dried ziti noodles into the skillet with the homemade meat sauce, making sure they’re completely covered with sauce. Cover the pan and cook for about 7-10 minutes (or according to package directions), checking it occasionally, until the pasta is al dente. Remember that it’s protein pasta, so it may cook a bit differently than other pasta you’re used to. Pay close attention to the texture as it cooks so you don’t over cook it.
Add the Cottage Cheese: When the pasta is nearly done, stir in the blended cottage cheese.
Top with Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top of the pasta, then put the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for a few minutes, until the cheese bubbles and starts to brown.
Garnish the Baked Ziti and Serve: Garnish with finely minced fresh herbs (basil and parsley make a tasty pair in this dish!) and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and serve.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving - Makes 5 Servings)

Calories: 378
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fat: 13g

Swaps and Substitutions

Make it vegetarian: Whether you don’t eat meat or you’re just feeling like more of a Meatless Monday kind of baked ziti, try swapping the ground beef for a plant-based ground meat alternative or lentils. You could also leave out the meat and instead pack your sauce with extra veggies (mushrooms would be great!), but it will be lower in protein.
Try a different leafy green: Rather than using spinach, mix things up with kale, collard greens, or another green you love.
Add a kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or even a bit of Calabrian chili paste for an extra spicy version. You could even use a spicy Italian sausage to add an extra kick!
Use another meat: If you don’t want to use ground beef, you could try diced chicken breast, ground turkey or chicken, Italian sausage, sliced chicken sausage, or even shredded beef, pork, or chicken.

FAQs

Yes! Baked pasta dishes are the perfect make-ahead meal. Simply prep everything up until it’s time to top with cheese, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, spray a casserole dish with some nonstick spray, spoon the pasta into the prepared baking dish, top with cheese, and bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown and the pasta mixture is warmed through.
One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Feel free to add in additional vegetables. Try carrots, mushrooms, red bell peppers, diced tomatoes, shredded zucchini, diced eggplant, and more for even more nutrition and lots of extra flavor.
Of course! Try swapping in a plant-based ground meat alternative or some lentils for a vegetarian take, or use Italian sausage, sliced sausage, chicken breast, or any other kind of meat or protein that you love with pasta.
Make it a complete meal by serving a simple side salad, garlic bread, or steamed broccoli along with the cheesy baked ziti.

This one-pan, high-protein baked ziti is the perfect weeknight dinner, healthy meal prep recipe, or easy meal for a crowd. It’s simple, hearty, full of wholesome ingredients, and packed with flavor, making this one comfort food recipe you know you can feel really good about eating. It's sure to be a huge hit with the whole family.