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High Protein Alfredo Bake Recipe

4.5 from 92 reviews

This High Protein Alfredo Bake is a nutritious and delicious meal featuring protein-rich chickpea pasta, tender chicken breast, and vibrant broccoli tossed in a creamy, flavorful Alfredo sauce made from cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan. Baked to perfection with a golden mozzarella topping, it’s a satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Protein

  • 8 oz high protein pasta such as chickpea or lentil pasta
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

  • 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or thawed if frozen

Sauce

  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk, any kind
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Topping

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven and pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Cook the high protein pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend—typically 6-8 minutes for chickpea pasta. Drain and set the pasta aside to cool slightly.
  2. Cook the chicken and broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook them until they’re no longer pink and reach an internal temperature of 165°F, about 5-7 minutes. Then add the broccoli florets and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
  3. Make the creamy Alfredo sauce: In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, plain Greek yogurt, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chicken broth, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Blend on high speed for 45-60 seconds until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. Pause once or twice to scrape down the sides if needed.
  4. Combine pasta, protein, and sauce: Pour the prepared Alfredo sauce over the cooked chicken and broccoli in the skillet. Add the drained pasta and stir everything together thoroughly until well combined.
  5. Assemble and bake: Transfer the combined mixture into the greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top has melted with golden brown spots.
  6. Rest and serve: Remove the bake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes. This resting time helps the dish set up, making it easier to serve. Serve warm and enjoy your high protein Alfredo bake.

Notes

  • You can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
  • For an extra veggie boost, consider adding mushrooms or spinach when cooking the chicken and broccoli.
  • Use whole milk or a low-fat milk based on your preference for creaminess and calorie content.
  • Ensure not to overcook the pasta during boiling as it will continue cooking in the oven.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.

Keywords: high protein pasta bake, chicken alfredo, healthy pasta casserole, high protein dinner, baking chicken pasta, creamy alfredo bake