- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Mix gently until combined.
Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
Place them on a lined baking sheet.
Bake until cooked through and lightly browned.
Meanwhile, warm the tomato sauce in a large skillet.
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
Transfer the cooked meatballs into the tomato sauce.
Add the pasta and toss gently.
Serve with fresh basil and Parmesan.
Variation
You can add finely chopped zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to the tomato sauce for additional vegetables.
6. High Protein Chicken Alfredo Pasta
A lighter homemade Alfredo-style sauce can turn chicken and pasta into an incredibly satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- Fresh parsley
Preparation
Cook the fettuccine according to the package directions.
Steam or lightly cook the broccoli until tender-crisp.
Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through.
Remove it temporarily and slice it into strips.
Add garlic to the skillet.
Pour in the milk and Parmesan.
Reduce the heat.
Stir in the Greek yogurt away from high heat.
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli.
Return the chicken to the skillet.
Toss everything together.
Add a little pasta water if necessary.
Finish with parsley and freshly grated Parmesan.
7. High Protein Lentil Bolognese Pasta
You don’t always need meat to make a satisfying protein-focused pasta dinner.
Lentils provide a hearty texture and pair beautifully with a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz whole-wheat pasta
- 1½ cups cooked lentils
- 1 small onion
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup mushrooms
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan, optional
- Fresh basil
Preparation
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet.
Add the onion, carrots, and mushrooms.
Cook until softened.
Add the garlic and tomato paste.
Stir for one minute.
Add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, lentils, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Add the cooked pasta and toss.
Finish with fresh basil and Parmesan if desired.
How to Make High Protein Pasta Recipes Even Better
A delicious pasta dinner doesn’t require a complicated sauce. A few simple habits can improve almost any recipe.
Choose a protein first
Before deciding on the sauce, choose your main protein.
Good options include:
- Chicken breast
- Lean ground beef
- Ground turkey
- Shrimp
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Lentils
- Beans
Once you have the protein, choose pasta and vegetables that complement it.
Add vegetables
Vegetables are an easy way to add color, texture, and variety.
Try:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Onions
You can sauté them separately or cook them directly in the sauce.