Description
High protein Italian beef and pasta bake made with lean ground beef, hearty pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella for a satisfying and balanced comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces high protein pasta or regular pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Add lean ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Season beef with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir marinara sauce into the cooked beef and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly under to prevent overcooking in the oven.
- Use lean beef to keep the dish lighter while maintaining high protein content.
- Let the bake rest before serving to help it set.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze for up to two months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: high protein Italian beef and pasta bake, protein packed pasta casserole, lean beef pasta bake, healthy comfort pasta