This easy high protein baked ziti can be made gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, keto, keto friendly, paleo friendly, and clean eating. In a large white baking dish is freshly baked and browned ziti. With melted, bubbly cheese on top, thick creamy red sauce with cottage cheese, and crisp browned edges with pasta poking through.

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This High Protein Baked Ziti is hearty, satisfying, and packed with protein to keep you full and energized. It’s everything you love about a cozy pasta bake, with a few simple tweaks that make it more blood sugar-friendly and digestion approved. It can be made gluten free and dairy free! Most importantly, it’s delicious.

There are a few things I make sure to have in almost every pasta dish – a quality protein source, creamy sauce, and tons of flavor. With those three things, it doesn’t matter what type of pasta it is, I’m going to love it! Some of my recent favorites have been my Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta, Viral Feta Salmon Pasta, and now this Baked Ziti. They’re all added in my dinner rotations, especially for weeknights when I want something quick, healthy, and satisfying. This pasta bake has only five ingredients and is ready in less than 40 minutes. All you have to do is combine everything, bake, and forget about it until that timer goes off saying it’s done!

Like some of my other higher protein pasta recipes, we’re using cottage cheese in the sauce to boost the protein and creaminess. I love that it’s really easy to hide in a pasta sauce but adds more thickness to the texture than you’d realize! What makes this particular ziti stand out is the perfect mix of creamy, saucy, and slightly crisp top. The cottage cheese melts into the sauce for a rich texture to give it a lasagna-like creaminess!

By pairing the pasta with cottage cheese, ground beef, and mozzarella, we’re getting a good balance of complex carbs and quality protein. This helps stabilize blood sugar and keep your brain and body fueled. No post-dinner crash, endless cravings, or feeling so sluggish afterwards. If you want to add some more fiber into this dish, you can add chopped vegetables or I love using lentil or chickpea pasta which also is higher in protein!

This pasta bake has become one of my favorite meals to make when I want to feel nourished and cozy. It’s family-approved, meal-prep friendly, and honestly just hits the spot!

Why You’ll Love This

Balanced meal – With at least 30g of protein per serving, it keeps you full and grounded without the energy crash.
One-dish meal – This is minimal mess because once everything is cooked, you pour it all into one dish, bake, and that’s it! No need to prep a ton of extra ingredients.
Meal prep gold – Make it once, eat it for days. It stores so well in the fridge for three to five days or longer in the freezer. Just reheat in the oven or air fryer! You can always cook the pasta and beef ahead of time too so when you’re ready to make this those steps are already done.
Dietary friendly – This is high protein, keto friendly, and can easily be made gluten free with a few swaps listed below.

What You’ll Need

Pasta of choice – You can use gluten free or regular pasta. I love using lentil pasta for extra protein and fiber in this meal! Other great gluten free options are brown rice pasta and cassava pasta.
Ground beef – If you want a lighter option, use ground chicken or turkey instead.
Cottage cheese – I use the full-fat one from Good Culture or Kalona Super Natural. I would say full-fat will have the best results!
Mozzarella
Pasta sauce – I used regular pasta sauce but if you want this to be a little spicy, you can use a spicy sauce.
Spices – I kept things simple with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, you can add any others you like.

How To Make

Preheat the oven to 375F and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil.
Cook your pasta of choice according to the package. Drain the pasta and set aside while you prep the meat.
In a large pan on the stovetop, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Add in salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
In the baking dish, mix the cooked pasta, cooked ground beef, cottage cheese, and pasta sauce. Stir until everything is coating and combined.
Sprinkle mozzarella on top to evenly coat everything.
Bake for thirty-five minutes, until cheese is bubbly and edges are browned.
Let it cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

Recommended Tools

Large sauce pan – GreenPan is one of my favorite non-toxic brands.
Baking dish – I use this 9×13 one!
Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons
Strainer – To strain the cooked pasta before adding it to the dish.

Even More Comfort Meals

Easy, Veggie Packed Healthy Pasta (Gluten Free)

One Dish Chicken Feta Bake (Low Carb, High Protein)

Healthier Chicken Parmesan (High Protein, Low Carb)

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