Cheesy, Comforting, and High-Protein Baked Penne

By Lizzie Fuhr

Updated on 8/17/2015 at 4:12 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

When I'm craving something cheesy, nothing else will do, and this high-protein pasta bake is what my comfort-food dreams are made of. Three types of cheeses, yogurt, and chicken are tossed into the mix to make this a high-protein baked dinner everyone will adore. Just make sure you have family or friends close, so you don't polish off the whole dish by yourself. It's that good.

Three-Cheese Chicken and Pasta Bake

Cook Time55 minutes
Yield6 dinner servings
Calories466

From Dashing Dish by Katie Farrell

INGREDIENTS

    • 2 cups dry high-fiber or whole-wheat penne pasta
    • 1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
    • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
    • 1 cup spaghetti sauce
    • 1 whole egg, plus 1 large egg white, beaten
    • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken breast

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

    2. Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Salt the water liberally, lower the heat to medium-high, and add the pasta. Cook until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

    3. In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, egg and egg white, 1/2 cup parmesan, 1/4 cup mozzarella, garlic powder, parsley, and salt.

    4. Add the chicken and pasta to the sauce, and toss to combine.

    5. Pour the pasta mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly. Top evenly with remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan and 3/4 cup of mozzarella. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.