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Wholesome High-Protein Pasta Recipe with 40g Protein Perfect for Muscle Gain

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A creamy, savory high-protein pasta dish packed with 40 grams of protein per serving, perfect for muscle gain and quick nourishing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) whole wheat or high-protein pasta (e.g., Barilla ProteinPLUS)
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup (225 grams) small-curd low-fat cottage cheese, blended smooth
  • ½ cup (50 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces whole wheat or high-protein pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water for the sauce.
  2. While pasta cooks, add 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30-45 seconds. Set aside.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add 12 ounces ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook 6-8 minutes until turkey is no longer pink and starts to brown. Season with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and optional ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
  5. Toss in 2 cups fresh chopped spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in the blended cottage cheese, ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well, letting the sauce gently warm and thicken for 2-3 minutes. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to coat each strand with the creamy, protein-packed sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Plate the pasta immediately for best texture. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente texture helps sauce cling better. Blending cottage cheese is key for a smooth sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Ground turkey should be seasoned early and allowed to brown for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: high-protein pasta, muscle gain, lean ground turkey, cottage cheese sauce, healthy pasta recipe, quick dinner, whole wheat pasta

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