High Protein Tortellini Baked Pasta

This Tortellini Baked Pasta is a deliciously simple, high protein dinner that’s family-friendly and fantastic for busy weeknight dinners!

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Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Simple – all you need is 6 ingredients, plus a few basic seasonings.
• High Protein – one serving has 37 grams of protein!
• Reheats Beautifully – whether you’re making for meal prep or just reheating leftovers, this tortellini pasta bake tastes amazing the next day(s).
• Family-Friendly – this is a very family-friendly healthy dinner! (Well, as long as your kiddos like pasta and tomato sauce….if not, maybe save this for a date night in lol.)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Tortellini – use cheese tortellini from the fresh/ refrigerated section. If you’re using dried/ shelf-stable tortellini, you need to cook it first. Frozen tortellini needs to be thawed first.
• Ground Turkey – lean ground turkey adds more protein and B vitamins.
• Marinara Sauce – use your favorite marinara sauce for a simple, flavor-boosting sauce base.
• Cottage Cheese – it gets blended to make the sauce thick and creamy, plus it adds more protein.
• Water – a little water is needed to keep the sauce nice and saucy, since the tortellini absorbs some water while baking.
• Spinach – I like to add some fresh spinach for a little pop of veggies, but feel free to skip or swap with a different veg if spinach isn’t your thing.
• Mozzarella – shredded mozzarella sprinkled on top creates a melty, cheesy, delicious topping!
• Flavor Enhancers – boost flavor (but keep it simple) with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.

How to Make Tortellini Baked Pasta

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Add ground turkey and seasonings to a large skillet. Use a meat chopper or spatula to break up the meat and brown it for 5-7 minutes until cooked through.

Add the browned turkey to a 9×9″ pan, along with the marinara, water, blended cottage cheese, spinach, and tortellini. Top with cheese then bake covered with foil for 20 minutes and uncovered for 10-15 minutes.

Why do you need to blend cottage cheese?

You don’t have to blend the cottage cheese if you don’t want to, but it will affect the texture and how the pasta bake visually looks (you’ll see the little cottage cheese curds).

I like to use an immersion blender to blend cottage cheese in a tall container or straight in the cottage cheese container. Blend for a minute or two, or until it’s smooth. Then you’ll have a super smooth and lusciously creamy blended cottage cheese that is PERFECT to blend into the sauce for a creamy, higher protein boost!

You can also use a regular blender or a food processor, too, but note that sometimes I find the food processor makes it a bit whipped and fluffier in texture if you go too long.

Tips and Variations

• Spray the foil – this pasta is first baked covered with aluminum foil. If your pasta bake is pretty heaping/ the foil is touching it, spray the inside of the foil (where it touches the cheese) with nonstick spray, so it comes off without bringing half the cheese with it.
• Frozen Tortellini – thaw first, then proceed with the recipe as written!
• Dried Tortellini – dried tortellini will need to be boiled first. Prepare it to its package directions, then toss it in the sauce, WITHOUT the half cup of added water. Then cook for 20-25 minutes uncovered.
• Vegetarian – skip the ground turkey (this will also decrease the protein content) or add some cannellini beans or tofu crumbles.
• Gluten-Free – use your favorite fresh tortellini that’s gluten-free (Trader Joe’s and ALDI sometimes have options).
• Ravioli – can’t find tortellini? Ravioli will work, too!
• Add more vegetables! I’m always a fan of adding more vegetables! Sauté onion, pepper, mushrooms, or zucchini while browning the turkey for an extra veggie boost.

How to Store & Reheat

Keep the baked tortellini covered, either in a large container or individual containers. They can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, microwave for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, or until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

As a dietitian, I’m always going to suggest adding more vegetables for an easy way to add more nutrition to the whole family’s plate! Try some of my favorites:

• salad (either homemade or from a salad kit, do what works for you!)
• steamed frozen vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans are a hit in my house!)
• roasted frozen green beans
• air fryer broccoli
• healthy sauteed mushrooms
• cucumber mediterranean salad
• garlic basil blistered grape tomatoes

Shop This Recipe

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All of my favorites can be found on my Amazon storefront, including a whole page dedicated to my Meal Prep Essentials!

• Bamboo Butcher Block
• Ninja Kitchen System Blender + Food Processor
• Ninja Mixer + Immersion Blender
• Gold & Wood Measuring Cups & Spoons
• 8″ Square Baking Pan
• Caraway Non-Toxic Pans (use code JANEIRO10 for 10% off!)

More Pasta Recipes to Love

• High Protein Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
• Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
• Pasta with Creamy Pesto
• 15-Minute Pesto Tortellini Soup
• High Protein Pasta Salad

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