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High Protein Baked Ziti

My High Protein Baked Ziti ( with a Gluten Free Option) uses simple ingredients and is perfect for  busy weeknights. This easy make ahead meal features lean ground turkey, high quality marinara and creamy cottage cheese  for extra protein. 

Serve it with a side salad or warm freshly baked bread. This easy recipe is a delicious meal and will soon become a family favorite! 

Baked penne pasta with melted cheese and ground meat in a glass dish, just like a 5 ingredient baked ziti, garnished with chopped herbs, next to slices of bread, a plate, and a striped napkin on a beige surface.
High Protein Baked Ziti.

Original Post: September 2023 | Post Updated: May 2025

This recipe has been updated to a high protein ziti. I originally made this as a 5-ingredient Baked Ziti. But honestly there are so many baked ziti variations, you really can’t go wrong. My version is heavy on the cottage cheese and lighter on the mozzarella.

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Why this recipe works

  • This High Protein Baked Ziti recipe is a lighter version of the classic comfort food. 
  • Cottage cheese adds extra protein making this dish well over 30 grams of protein per serving. 
  • Just like my Ground Turkey Pesto Pasta, Ground Turkey Lasagna Rolls and my Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers,it’s a balanced and feel good meal for the whole family. My kids love it ( and so does my husband) 
  • This is a large baked ziti recipe and it’s meal prep friendly and reheats well!

Ingredients needed

Ingredients for 5 ingredient baked ziti are displayed on a light pink surface, including penne pasta, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, mozzarella, ground turkey, and more. Each item is clearly labeled.
  • Reserved pasta water.
  • Extra virgin olive oil.
  • Ground turkey. 93/7 is best.
  • Gluten free penne. Any type of pasta shape works here and you can use regular pasta if gluten free isn’t needed.
  • Mozzarella cheese.
  • Cottage cheese. 2% is what I normally use but full fat or low fat both work.
  • Plain marinara. Look for one that doesn’t have added sugars.
  • Parsley. Optional garnish.
  • Salt and pepper as needed.

How to make High Protein Baked Ziti

Step-by-step collage showing ground meat in a skillet, then with tomato sauce added, and finally a baking dish filled with 5 ingredient baked ziti—penne pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese.

Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Start with bringing water to a boil and cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted water. Boil the pasta to al dente, following the instructions on the package. Before draining the pasta, reserve a 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water. 

Step Two: Preheat a large skillet on medium heat and add about a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground turkey. With a large wooden spoon, break up the turkey meat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes and then add the seasonings. Continue to cook for about 15 minutes or until the turkey is fully cooked and has no more pink. 

Step Three: Add the marinara and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes. When it’s done, add in the reserved salted pasta water. Gently stir it to combine. 

Step Four: Add the cooked pasta into the casserole dish. Then carefully pour the pasta sauce and meat mixture over the top of the pasta. Top with the cottage cheese. Gently combine the pasta, sauce and cottage cheese. Then sprinkle the mozzarella. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. When it’s done, carefully remove the foil and season with additional salt or seasoning if needed. Let it cool for 5 minutes. 

Storing and reheating

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

A close-up of a 5 ingredient baked ziti casserole with penne, ground meat, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, being served with a wooden spoon from a glass baking dish.

Helpful tips

  • Using foil helps prevent the pasta from getting hard around the edges.
  • Use lean ground such as 85/15 or 93/7 for best results. 99 percent fat free can be used but will result in a much drier texture.
  • Add in veggies like shredded carrots, broccoli, diced zucchini or shredded kale or spinach for a nutrient boost.
  • I use gluten-free pasta in this recipe. I recommend Barilla or Banza ( because they have it at Costco and it comes in five-5 oz packages) which is garbanzo bean-based pasta. But any type of gluten-free pastas work or regular penne if you don’t need gluten free. 
  • Double the recipe and freeze half for meal prep. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • Try with different proteins like lean ground beef, italian sausage or ground chicken like in my Chicken Lasagna Rolls. Or keep it vegetarian.

Serving suggestions 

A close-up of a fork holding a bite of cheesy 5 ingredient baked ziti with tomato sauce, with more pasta served on a white plate in the background.

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A close-up of a 5 ingredient baked ziti casserole with penne, ground meat, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, being served with a wooden spoon from a glass baking dish.

High Protein Baked Ziti

Kristina Cadelina
Packed with over 30 grams of protein per serving, this lighter version of an Italian classic is delicious, easy and satisfying.

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 454 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces gluten free penne or sub pasta of choice
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey 93/7
  • 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese low fat
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • kosher salt salt as needed
  • black pepper as needed
  • 1/2 cup reserved salted pasta water
  • 1/4 cup parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • Start with cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted water. Cook according to the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the salted water before draining. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Preheat a large skillet on medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground turkey. Cook for about 5-7 minutes and add the seasonings. Continue to cook for about 15 minutes or until it is fully cooked and no more pink.
  • Add the marinara and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes. When done, add in the reserved salted pasta water.
  • Add the cooked pasta into the casserole dish. Then carefully pour the pasta sauce and meat mixture over the top of the pasta. Top with the cottage cheese. Gently combine the pasta, sauce and cottage cheese. Then sprinkle the mozzarella. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. When it’s done, carefully remove the foil and season with additional salt or seasoning if needed. Let it cool for 5 minutes. 

Video

Notes

Notes:
Storing and reheating:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. 
Helpful tips:
  • Using foil helps prevent the pasta from getting hard around the edges.
  • Use lean ground such as 85/15 or 93/7 for best results. 99 percent fat free can be used but will result in a much drier texture.
  • Add in veggies like shredded carrots, broccoli, diced zucchini or shredded kale or spinach for a nutrient boost.
  • I use gluten-free pasta in this recipe. I recommend Barilla or Banza ( because they have it at Costco and it comes in five-5 oz packages) which is garbanzo bean-based pasta. But any type of gluten-free pastas work or regular penne if you don’t need gluten free. 
  • Double the recipe and freeze half for meal prep. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • Try with different proteins like lean ground beef, italian sausage or ground chicken like in my Chicken Lasagna Rolls. Or keep it vegetarian. 

Nutrition

Calories: 454kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 37gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 865mgPotassium: 779mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 936IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 3mg
Keyword High Protein Baked Ziti
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