High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Introduction
This high protein spaghetti casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for dinner any night of the week. Packed with lean ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture, it delivers flavor and nutrition in every bite.
Ingredients
- 12 oz dry spaghetti noodles (whole wheat or gluten-free options available)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil or flaxseed oil)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (homemade if preferred)
- 1 tbsp dried basil (or fresh basil)
- 2 tsp garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic)
- 1 tsp onion powder (or fresh chopped onions)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos for vegetarian)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese, divided (or Colby Jack or Pepper Jack)
- 1 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
- Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9-inch casserole dish with oil. Boil the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente—soft on the outside but still firm inside. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the browned beef. Stir and reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Step 5: Transfer 2 cups of the beef and tomato sauce mixture to a large bowl. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat evenly.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup mozzarella cheese with cream cheese and cottage cheese until well combined.
- Step 7: Assemble the casserole by spreading the remaining beef and sauce on the bottom of the greased dish. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture over the sauce, then spread the cheese mix on top.
- Step 8: Add the remaining spaghetti over the cheese, then top with the rest of the beef and sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
- Step 9: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Step 10: Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra fiber, use whole wheat or legume-based pasta instead of regular spaghetti.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
- Use fresh garlic and onions for more vibrant flavor in the sauce.
- Try mixing in pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella for a spicy kick.
- For a vegetarian version, replace beef with sautéed mushrooms or lentils and use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, cover the casserole with a microwave-safe lid or foil and warm until heated through. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne or rotini. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can assemble the casserole a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to bake. Baking time remains the same.
PrintHigh Protein Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
This High Protein Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish combining lean ground beef, al dente spaghetti, and a rich tomato-based sauce, layered with a creamy low-fat cheese blend. Perfect for a nutritious family dinner, it offers a balanced meal with a boost of protein while keeping the flavors comforting and delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Beef
- 12 oz dry spaghetti noodles (whole wheat or lentil-based for gluten-free option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado/flaxseed oil)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey for leaner option)
Sauce
- 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce (no-sugar-added)
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp dried basil (or fresh basil)
- 2 tsp garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic)
- 1 tsp onion powder (or fresh chopped onions)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce/tamari/coconut aminos for vegetarian)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese, divided (or Colby Jack/Pepper Jack for variation)
- 1 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened (or Greek yogurt to boost protein)
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
Garnish
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and cook spaghetti: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 13×9-inch casserole dish with oil. Boil the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente, meaning slightly soft on the outside but still firm on the inside. Drain and set aside.
- Cook ground beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and ground beef. Break up the beef with a spatula and brown it evenly, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to blend all ingredients.
- Combine beef and sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes to thicken and develop flavor.
- Mix spaghetti with sauce: Transfer 2 cups of the beef and tomato sauce mixture into the bowl with the cooked spaghetti. Toss well until the noodles are thoroughly coated.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and cottage cheese until well blended.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the remaining beef and sauce mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture over it. Spread the cheese mixture evenly on top, followed by the remaining spaghetti. Next, top with the rest of the beef sauce and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Let the casserole cool slightly, then sprinkle with fresh chopped basil before serving for a bright, fresh flavor.
Notes
- For a higher fiber and gluten-free option, use whole wheat or legume-based pasta.
- Substitute ground turkey for a leaner protein choice.
- Consider homemade or no-sugar-added tomato sauce to control ingredients.
- Arrowroot powder can replace cornstarch if gluten-free is needed.
- Fresh garlic and onions can be used instead of powder for a more robust flavor.
- To make this vegetarian, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use soy or tamari sauce instead of Worcestershire.
- Greek yogurt can be substituted for cream cheese to increase protein and reduce fat.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Pepper Jack to add a spicy kick.
- Allowing the sauce to simmer helps deepen flavor and improves texture.
Keywords: high protein spaghetti casserole, healthy spaghetti bake, ground beef casserole, low-fat pasta casserole, easy Italian dinner, baked spaghetti recipe
