High-Protein Pizza Pasta Bake (Printable Version)

A protein-packed pasta dish featuring beef, pepperoni, and creamy sauce baked to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz high-protein penne or rotini pasta

→ Meats

02 - 8 oz lean ground beef
03 - 2 oz turkey or regular pepperoni, sliced

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 cup sliced mushrooms

→ Sauce

08 - 2 cups low-sodium marinara sauce
09 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2% or fat-free
10 - 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
13 - ½ teaspoon dried basil
14 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Topping

16 - ½ cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 1 oz pepperoni slices
18 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, following package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned throughout, approximately 5-7 minutes. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms. Continue sautéing for 3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
05 - Add marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until completely smooth and combined.
07 - Transfer cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the beef-vegetable sauce, sliced pepperoni, and yogurt-cheese mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
08 - Pour the combined pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Distribute evenly and top with remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and additional pepperoni slices.
09 - Place uncovered in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Provides a massive 31g of protein per serving to keep you full and satisfied.
  • Cleverly uses Greek yogurt to create a creamy, decadent texture without the heavy fat of traditional cream sauces.
  • Perfect for meal prep, as it stays delicious and holds its texture when reheated.
02 -
  • Thoroughly drain the excess fat from the cooked beef to ensure the final sauce is creamy and not oily.
  • Whisk the Greek yogurt and cheeses until completely smooth to ensure an even distribution of the high-protein sauce.
  • Allow the bake to rest for at least 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to let the sauce set and make serving easier.
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