Quick Cheesy High-Protein Turkey Pasta
Tender pasta tossed with savory turkey bacon, lean ground turkey, and melted cheddar in a ultra-creamy cottage cheese sauce. A cozy, 15-minute comfort meal packed with protein that picky kids will devour.
Prep
5 min
Cook
10 min
Total
15 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Tiff + Lila
Tiff 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 HealthSteadier 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
Everyday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
Well-fueled muscles
Support your everyday foundations
A varied meal helps bring protein, energy and minerals into the day without turning dinner into a supplement calculation.
Notice: comfort + hydration
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
5 min
Cook
10 min
Total
15 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Blender · Food processor · Large skillet
Time saver
For extra convenience, cook a double batch of pasta ahead of time to make this dinner in under 7 minutes.
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 6 steps complete
Next: Fill a medium pot with hot water
- 01
Fill a medium pot with hot water
Fill a medium pot with hot water, add a pinch of salt, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender; drain and return to the warm pot.
Look for: tender
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and garlic powder, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon for 5-6 minutes until browned and completely cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
Look for: browned and completely cooked through (165°F / 74°C)
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add cottage cheese
While turkey cooks, add cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, and low-sodium chicken broth to a blender or food processor. Blend on high for 30 seconds until completely smooth and creamy.
Look for: completely smooth and creamy
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Pour the smooth cheesy sauce and cooked…
Pour the smooth cheesy sauce and cooked ground turkey into the pot with drained pasta.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Stir gently over low heat for 1-2…
Stir gently over low heat for 1-2 minutes until everything is warmed through and evenly coated.
Look for: everything is warmed through and evenly coated
Tap card to mark done - 06
Portion into bowls and serve warm
Portion into bowls and serve warm. Refrigerate leftover portions within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Allow: 2 hours
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