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High Protein Baked Ziti Recipe Easy Comforting Guilt-Free Dinner

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A comforting baked ziti dish that balances hearty protein with classic comfort, featuring lean chicken, cottage cheese, and whole wheat pasta for a guilt-free, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces dry ziti or penne pasta (whole wheat works great for added fiber)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 ½ cups small-curd cottage cheese (low-fat preferred)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (no added sugar preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of ziti and cook until just al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and slightly golden, about 7-8 minutes. Splash a bit of water or broth if chicken starts drying out.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups cottage cheese, ¾ cup shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with chicken. Pour in 3 cups marinara sauce and sprinkle ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently to combine and coat evenly.
  7. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Dollop half the cheese mixture over it and spread lightly. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese mixture.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. For extra crispiness, broil for 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  10. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best as it will finish cooking in the oven. Use small-curd cottage cheese for smoother texture. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and tastes richer. Let the dish rest before serving to set flavors. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water before baking. Drain watery cottage cheese to avoid excess moisture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, high protein, comfort food, healthy dinner, chicken baked pasta, cottage cheese, whole wheat pasta, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/high-protein-baked-ziti-recipe-easy-comforting-guilt-free-dinner/