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High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 8 reviews

This High Protein Spaghetti Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish combining lean ground beef with a flavorful tomato sauce, spaghetti noodles, and a creamy cheese mixture. Perfect for meal prep or a comforting dinner, it balances rich flavors with nutritious ingredients, making it a great option for a high-protein, low-carb, and low-calorie meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti & Meat

  • 12 oz spaghetti noodles (dry)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef

Sauce

  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded, low fat, divided)
  • 1 cup cream cheese (low fat, softened)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat)

Garnish

  • Fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 13″x9″ casserole dish by spraying it with oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Spaghetti: Boil spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Brown Ground Beef: While spaghetti cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add lean ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
  4. Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Simmer Sauce with Beef: Once the beef is browned, pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the beef. Stir to combine, reduce heat to low, and let simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, allowing water to evaporate and flavors to meld without burning.
  6. Mix Spaghetti and Beef Sauce: Add 2 cups of the beef and sauce mixture into the bowl with spaghetti. Toss well until all noodles are coated evenly.
  7. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, cream cheese, and cottage cheese until smooth and well blended.
  8. Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the remaining beef mixture (about 1.5-2 cups) on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture over the beef. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over this layer. Add the remaining spaghetti mixture on top, followed by the remaining beef mixture.
  9. Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  10. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute lean ground turkey or chicken for beef to reduce fat content.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
  • If you prefer a spicier flavor, add red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
  • Make sure to simmer the sauce gently to avoid burning or drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: high protein spaghetti casserole, healthy spaghetti bake, low fat casserole, ground beef pasta bake, creamy spaghetti casserole

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/high-protein-spaghetti-casserole-recipe-3/