High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti
High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti is a delicious and flavor-packed meal that is perfect for any weeknight. Made with ground chicken, chickpea pasta and high-protein sauce. This pasta bake will be on repeat!
If you’re craving comfort food but want to keep your meals packed with protein and Mediterranean flair, this High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti is just the dish for you. Combining classic Greek ingredients with the heartiness of baked ziti, this recipe brings a healthy, satisfying twist to your dinner table.
Of course, don’t stop at just baked ziti. If you want a few more options with a Greek twist you need to try: Air-Fryer Greek Salmon Bites, Greek Grilled American Lamb Chops,or Egg-Stuffed Greek Bagels.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish offers the best of both worlds: indulgent pasta goodness and nutrient-dense ingredients that support your wellness goals. With lean ground chicken, cottage cheese, and plenty of feta cheese, every bite is rich in protein and flavor. Plus, the addition of tomatoes brings vibrant colors and essential vitamins.
Perfect for Meal Prep
This baked ziti is an excellent make-ahead dish. Prepare it on Sunday and enjoy leftovers throughout the week. It reheats beautifully, making it a reliable go-to for busy schedules.
Ingredients used to Make High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti
Casseroles are my favorite thing to make. You can use up any ingredients you have in your pantry for a tasty and easy meal. If you want to make this ziti recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chickpea ziti pasta
- Ground lamb
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Fennel seed
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ground cloves
- Crushed tomatoes
- Chicken stock
- Cottage Cheese
- Egg yolks
- Milk
- Parmesan cheese
- Crumbled feta
How to Make High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti
Assume the casserole making position. This baked ziti comes together quickly and tastes incredible. Follow the steps below to ensure casserole success:
- Preheat an oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Strain and set aside.
- Next, preheat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, ground lamb, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, salt, and pepper. Cook the lamb until browned about 5 minutes.
- Next, add the onions, pinch of cloves & cinnamon, chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a bubble and then reduce the heat to low to simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the cooked ziti.
- In a food processor add the cottage cheese, feta, egg yolks, milk, pinch of nutmeg, and ½ cup parmesan cheese. Process until smooth.
- Transfer the ziti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour the cottage cheese mixture over the top evenly and garnish with more Parmesan cheese. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Variations for High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti
The best part about making a casserole is that they’re completely customizable. Below are a few ways to jazz up this Greek Baked Ziti:
Vegetarian Option: Swap the ground turkey or beef for crumbled tempeh or lentils for a plant-based, protein-packed version.
Seafood Twist: Add shrimp or chunks of salmon for a seafood-inspired take on this dish.
Extra Veggies: Incorporate roasted red peppers, zucchini, or eggplant to increase the vegetable content and add more Mediterranean flair.
Spicy Kick: Mix in red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a little heat.
Cheese Lovers: Experiment with additional cheeses like mozzarella or ricotta for extra creaminess and flavor depth.
Proper Storing
When it comes to storing leftovers, follow these simple steps:
Refrigeration: Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, place the ziti in a freezer-safe container or tightly wrap it in foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through. If reheating from frozen, allow the ziti to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Portioning: Consider dividing the ziti into smaller portions before freezing to make reheating easier for single servings.
High-Protein Greek Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chickpea ziti pasta (*I like Banza)
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs Ground lamb
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Fennel seeds
- 1 cup Diced yellow onion
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Chicken stock
- 1 28-ounce Canned tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups Cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Crumbled feta
- 4 large Egg yolks
- 1 cup Grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup Whole milk
- pinch of ground nutmeg
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Strain and set aside.
- Next, preheat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, ground lamb, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, salt, and pepper. Cook the lamb until browned about 5 minutes.
- Next, add the onions, pinch of cloves & cinnamon, chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a bubble and then reduce the heat to low to simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the cooked ziti.
- In a food processor add the cottage cheese, feta, egg yolks, milk, pinch of nutmeg, and ½ cup parmesan cheese. Process until smooth
- Transfer the ziti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour the cottage cheese mixture over the top evenly and garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
