High-Protein Comfort Dinner
Ingredients
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
- 2 cups pasta sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Boil jumbo shells according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and let cool slightly.
2. Cook the Beef
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
- Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in ½ cup pasta sauce and simmer 2 minutes.
3. Make the Filling
- In a bowl, combine:
- Cottage cheese
- Ricotta
- Egg
- Parmesan
- 1 cup mozzarella
- Fold in the cooked beef mixture.
4. Stuff the Shells
- Spread a little pasta sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Fill each shell with the beef-cheese mixture.
- Arrange in the dish.
5. Bake
- Pour remaining pasta sauce over shells.
- Top with remaining mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
High-Protein Tips 💪
- Use lean beef or ground turkey
- Cottage cheese boosts protein without changing flavor
- Use high-protein pasta shells if available
Approx Macros (per serving)
- Protein: 35–45g
- Carbs: 25–35g
- Fat: 12–18g
- Calories: ~400–550