0 from 15 votes
Rotini Pasta Bake Casserole (High Protein)
This rotini pasta bake is your one-pan ticket to a hearty, cozy weeknight dinner. With curly rotini pasta trapping all that saucy goodness (and a sneaky protein hack), it's great for the whole fam and ridiculously easy to make—stir, bake, and dig in!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 495 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean , Italian , American
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta 453 g
- 2 cups cottage cheese 450 g
- 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce 680 g
- ½ cup pesto
- 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp each salt and pepper
- 1 8-oz package mozzarella cheese 226 g
- ½ cup fresh grated parmesan 40 g
Instructions
- Pasta: Cook 1 lb rotini pasta according to package instructions, stopping 2 minutes before al dente (pasta will still be a little hard on the inside when you bite it).Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Stir: In a large bowl, gently fold together drained pasta, 2 cups cottage cheese, 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce, ½ cup pesto, 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp each salt and pepper, along with half of the 8-oz package mozzarella cheese.
- Assemble: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spoon the pasta mixture into the dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil covering, increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C), and continue cooking until the top is golden in spots and melty, about 10 minutes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Leftovers will last up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze this dish for up to a month—just let it thaw before baking.
- To make it ahead, assemble your pasta bake, wrap or cover it, and stick it in the fridge overnight. When you're ready, remove it from the fridge and bake as directed.
- To make a gluten-free pasta bake, use any gluten-free pasta instead of the rotini.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
495kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
58.7g
(20%)
Protein
30.8g
(62%)
Fat
14.2g
(22%)
Cholesterol
37mg
(12%)
Sodium
1111mg
(46%)
Potassium
109mg
(3%)
Fiber
3.4g
(14%)
Sugar
7.6g
(15%)
Calcium
456mg
(46%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 495
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 495kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 58.7g | 20% |
| Protein | 30.8g | 62% |
| Fat | 14.2g | 22% |
| Cholesterol | 37mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 1111mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 109mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 3.4g | 14% |
| Sugar | 7.6g | 15% |
| Calcium | 456mg | 46% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.