High Protein Million Dollar Pasta

May 28

My high protein million dollar spaghetti got a facelift! This one is a cozy, protein-packed pasta bake that tastes indulgent but is made with a few lighter swaps. Perfect for meal prep or an easy family dinner!

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Ingredients

6 servings Brami Curly Mac
1 jar pasta sauce
1 medium white onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground turkey (93/7)
1 tbsp Italian seasoning, divided
1 tbsp smoked paprika
Salt + pepper, to taste
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup skim fairlife milk
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella + cheddar cheese (both reduced fat), divided
(I used reduced fat because it’s what I had on hand, but all mozzarella works great too!)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Brami curly mac according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
Add the ground turkey, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
In a blender or food processor, combine:
- cottage cheese
- ricotta
- fairlife milk
- remaining Italian seasoning and garlic
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the white sauce mixture.
Assemble the casserole:
- Add the creamy pasta mixture to a greased baking dish
- Layer on the turkey + onion mixture
- Top evenly with pasta sauce
- Finish with mozzarella/cheddar cheese
Bake covered for about 10 minutes and then uncovered for 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with melted cheese on top.
Let cool slightly before serving. Top with fresh parm and more italian seasoning!