One Pot High Protein Baked Ziti (45g+ Protein)

Slug

one-pot-high-protein-baked-ziti

Category

High Protein Meals

Intro

This One Pot High Protein Baked Ziti delivers everything you want from comfort food without throwing your protein goals out the window.

Spicy Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and protein pasta all baked together in one pan. It feels like a cheat meal, but the macros tell a different story.

The best part? One pot means fewer dishes and more leftovers.

Dad Check:

✓ High Protein — YES
✕ Keto Friendly — NO
✓ Kid Approved — YES
✓ Under $15 — NO
✕ Low Carb — NO

Quick Info

  • Protein: ~45g per serving
  • Calories: ~650–750
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Base

  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1.5 lb Hills Spicy Sausage

Pasta

  • 12 oz Brami Protein Pasta
  • 1 jar favorite pasta sauce
  • 4 cups beef bone broth

Creamy Finish

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Cheese

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Sausage

  1. Heat avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven.
  2. Add onion and cook until softened.
  3. Add sausage.
  4. Brown completely, breaking into small pieces.

Step 2: Build the Pasta

  1. Pour in:
    • Pasta sauce
    • Beef bone broth
  2. Stir well.
  3. Add protein pasta.
  4. Bring to a simmer.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

  1. Cover.
  2. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Cook until pasta is almost tender.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

  1. Reduce heat.
  2. Stir in:
    • Heavy cream
    • Greek yogurt
  3. Mix until creamy.

Step 5: Add the Cheese

  1. Drop spoonfuls of ricotta throughout the pan.
  2. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  3. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Step 6: Bake

  1. Bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
  2. Cook until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  3. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired.

Pro Tip

Don’t fully mix the ricotta.

Leave it in little pockets throughout the ziti.

Every bite becomes a little different, and it tastes much more like restaurant baked ziti.

Protein Breakdown

Protein Sources:

  • Hills Spicy Sausage (1.5 lb): ~90g protein
  • Brami Protein Pasta (12 oz): ~72g protein
  • Greek Yogurt: ~22g protein
  • Ricotta Cheese: ~14g protein
  • Mozzarella Cheese: ~28g protein
  • Bone Broth: ~20g protein

Total Recipe: ~270g protein

Per Serving: ~45g protein

How to Adjust:

  • Add more sausage → more protein and flavor
  • Add extra mozzarella → more protein and calories
  • Add more Greek yogurt → higher protein creaminess

Meal Prep Notes

  • Keeps 4–5 days in the fridge
  • Reheats extremely well
  • Add a splash of broth before reheating if needed
  • Great freezer meal

Dad Reality

This is one of those meals where nobody asks if it’s healthy.

They just ask for seconds.

That’s the sweet spot.

A meal that helps you hit your protein goals while still feeling like real comfort food.

Final Thoughts

Most people think high protein eating means giving up pasta.

It doesn’t.

You just have to build it differently.

More protein. Better ingredients. Same comfort.

Keep it simple. Stay consistent. That’s how you win.