Hearty pasta bake with pizza flavors, lean beef, pepperoni, and creamy Greek yogurt sauce.
# Components:
→ Proteins
01 - 10.5 oz lean ground beef
02 - 2 oz turkey or regular pepperoni, sliced
→ Pasta
03 - 12 oz high-protein pasta such as penne or fusilli
→ Cheese and Yogurt Sauce
04 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 0 to 2 percent fat
05 - 1.5 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
06 - 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 large egg
→ Vegetables
08 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
11 - 1 red bell pepper, diced, optional
12 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped, optional
→ Spices and Seasonings
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
15 - 0.5 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
17 - Olive oil for sautéing
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and diced bell pepper if using. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
05 - Add lean ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until browned throughout and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
06 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, chili flakes if using, and spinach if using. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, half of the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and egg. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
08 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, beef-tomato mixture, and yogurt-cheese sauce. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout.
09 - Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly, then top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Arrange pepperoni slices in an even layer across the top.
10 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the cheese on top is golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
