Family Style Protein Pasta Bake with Lentils
A comforting, high-protein pasta skillet featuring protein pasta, savory plant-based meat, tender brown lentils, and wilted spinach in marinara sauce.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by BAM + Lila
BAM created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Protein consistency
Make a nourishing habit easier
This is another practical opportunity to include protein and varied whole foods—small habits that are easier to repeat than a perfect diet.
Notice: protein across the day
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Large pot
Time saver
Store leftover cooked pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 7 steps complete
Next: Bring a large pot of water to…
- 01
Bring a large pot of water to…
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and cook 90g of protein pasta for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente, then drain.
Look for: al dente, then drain
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in…
Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat for 1 minute.
Allow: 1 minute
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add 2 garlic cloves and 90g of…
Add 2 garlic cloves and 90g of plant-based ground meat to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon for 5 to 6 minutes until browned.
Look for: browned
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir in 0
Stir in 0.5 cup of brown lentils, 0.5 cup of marinara sauce, and 1 cup of baby spinach into the skillet, simmering for 3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
Look for: the spinach wilts
Tap card to mark done - 05
Fold the cooked protein pasta into the…
Fold the cooked protein pasta into the sauce until thoroughly coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
Look for: thoroughly coated and heated through
Tap card to mark done - 06
Top with 2 tbsp of mozzarella cheese
Top with 2 tbsp of mozzarella cheese, cover with a lid or place under a oven broiler at 400°F (200°C) for 2 minutes until cheese melts.
Look for: cheese melts
Tap card to mark done - 07
Serve warm immediately into 1 portion
Serve warm immediately into 1 portion.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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