High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Buckle up, because spaghetti’s never looked so damn irresistible.

Matthew really enjoyed this recipe, and it made really great leftover for work. I added a little extra marinara to make it a little better. The kids even ate this and they’ve been extra picky lately. I loved how it turned out with the cottage cheese and laughing cow cheese made a little more creamy! Give it a try!

The Comfort Factor

Is there anything more soul-soothing than gooey cheese, tender pasta, and savory meat all mingling in perfect harmony? This spaghetti bake is exactly that—a warm hug for your taste buds on a chilly evening or a bright spark of comfort when you need it most. We’re talking layers of thin spaghetti tossed in buttery eggs and Parmesan, crowned with a dreamy cheese blend, and topped off with hearty beef and classic marinara. Every forkful hits you like a cozy love letter from your kitchen.

The Creamy Factor

Let’s get real: cottage cheese and sour cream might not scream “sexy” on their own, but blend them with the zesty tang of Parmesan, melted Laughing Cow cheese, and a whisper of garlic and Italian seasoning? Suddenly, you have a sauce so dreamy it should come with a warning label. This bake transforms pantry staples into a velvet-smooth sauce that cloaks each strand of spaghetti in pure cheesy bliss.

The Weeknight Hero

Between Zoom meetings, soccer practice drop-offs, and that thing where you forgot to text your mom back, who has time for fussy dinners? Not you. This casserole is the ultimate weeknight MVP: minimal hands-on time, totally bake-and-forget, and yields enough to feed the entire crew (and then some). Prep it, pop it in the oven, and reclaim your evening—Diet Coke in hand, of course.

Zero-Waste Vibes

Leftover spaghetti? Use it. On-hand cottage cheese that’s giving you the side-eye? Blend it. That last wedge of Laughing Cow that’s been lurking in the back of the fridge? Perfect. This recipe turns odds and ends into a show-stopping centerpiece, rescuing your pantry scraps from oblivion and zeroing out food waste like a boss.

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Ingredients

- 16- oz. thin spaghetti
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 5 T butter melted
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 wedges light laughing cow cheese softened
- 1 cup light sour cream
- 1 cup 2% cottage cheese, blended
- 1 lb. lean hamburger cooked
- 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Whisk together eggs, parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Toss with pasta. Place in prepared pan.
3. Combine Italian seasoning, garlic, laughing cow cheese, blended cottage cheese and sour cream. Spread over pasta.
4. Combined cooked hamburger and spaghetti sauce. Spread over cheese mixture. Top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake for 45 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Calorie Count

Yields: 12 generous servings Calories per serving: approximately 530 kcal

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	530 kcal
Total Fat	24 g
– Saturated Fat	12 g
Cholesterol	115 mg
Sodium	820 mg
Total Carbohydrate	55 g
– Dietary Fiber	3 g
– Sugars	8 g
Protein	27 g

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Cooking Tips

Toss your spaghetti with the egg-Parmesan mixture while it’s hot to ensure every noodle absorbs flavor and binds together.
For extra kiss-of-garlic magic, sauté the minced garlic in a teaspoon of olive oil until fragrant, then add to the cheese layer.
If your cottage cheese has big curds, blitz it in a blender for a smoother, creamier texture.
Want show-stopping golden spots on top? Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end—watch it like a hawk so it doesn’t go from bubbly to burned.
Prep the layers ahead of time: assemble the spaghetti and cheese layers in the pan, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the meat sauce and cheese topping right before baking.
Use a mix of mozzarella and provolone for that ooey-gooey stretch factor.
Don’t skip the 10-minute rest after baking—this keeps the casserole from sliding apart when you cut into it.

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Recipe Variations

Spicy Italian Twist: Stir ¼ tsp red pepper flakes into the meat sauce, and swap half the mozzarella for pepper jack.
Veggie Boost: Sauté diced bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms with the beef or swap the beef for a plant-based crumble.
Four-Cheese Dream: Add ½ cup shredded Fontina and ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar to the mozzarella layer.
Taco-Inspired Bake: Replace Italian seasoning with 2 Tbsp taco seasoning, use corn tortillas instead of spaghetti, swap marinara for enchilada sauce, and top with tortilla strips.
One-Pot Magic: Skip the bake and assemble everything in an oven-safe Dutch oven. Simmer the meat sauce on the stove, add coated spaghetti and cheese layers, then broil until bubbly.
Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free spaghetti and ensure your sauce is gluten-free. Everything else stays the same—zero compromise on taste.
Kid-Friendly Deconstructed Version: Serve pasta, sauce, and cheese layers separately so picky eaters can build their own bowls.

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Listen up, darling—this spaghetti bake is the culinary equivalent of a mic drop. It transforms humble pantry staples into a five-star comfort feast that’s brimming with bold flavors and textural contrasts. You’ve got:

Pillowy pasta coated in a buttery egg-Parmesan embrace.
A lusciously creamy cheese layer that teases you with mild tang and playful dairy whispers.
Savory beef and sauce that anchor every bite in meaty goodness.
That melty mozzarella crown that crisps at the edges and oozes at the center.

More than just a casserole, it’s a weeknight legend and a party pleaser. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this bake hits all the right notes. And the best part? It’s flexible. Got extra veggies? Toss ’em in. Gluten-free friends? Make the swap. Want more heat or a tangier tang? Adjust those spices and cheeses to suit your mood.

So next time you find yourself staring blankly into the fridge or dreading another plate of plain pasta, remember: this casserole has your back. With minimal fuss and maximum flair, it’ll turn any ordinary meal into a show-stopping affair.

High Protein Spaghetti Casserole Bake

Life’s too short for boring dinners and sad, solo bowls of spaghetti. This baked spaghetti casserole is your ticket to cheesy, meaty, pasta-packed joy—no recipe cards, no stress, just pure, unadulterated comfort. Rally your friends, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake up a storm. Because once you’ve tasted the magic of layered spaghetti perfection, you’ll never look at pasta the same way again.

Go forth, bake bold, and remember: the only thing better than one serving of this spaghetti bake is seconds (and maybe thirds). You’ve got this, chef—now show that oven who’s boss!