High-Protein Pizza Spaghetti Squash Bake
A savory, comforting pizza-inspired casserole packed with high-protein cottage cheese, fiber-rich white beans, and turkey pepperoni.
Prep
15 min
Cook
55 min
Total
75 min
Makes
4 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Sherry + Lila
Sherry 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
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
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
15 min
Cook
55 min
Total
75 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Sheet pan · Mixing bowl · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Store leftover portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheats well in the microwave.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 10 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
- 01
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Tap card to mark done - 02
Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise…
Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds using a large spoon.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Place the squash halves cut-side down on…
Place the squash halves cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.
Look for: tender when pierced with a fork
Tap card to mark done - 04
Remove the squash from the oven
Remove the squash from the oven, allow it to cool for 5 minutes until safe to handle, then use a fork to scrape the flesh into noodle-like strands into a large mixing bowl.
Look for: safe to handle, then use a fork to scrape the flesh into noodle-like strands into a large mixing bowl
Tap card to mark done - 05
To the bowl with the squash
To the bowl with the squash, add the cottage cheese, drained cannellini beans, spinach, pizza sauce, and pizza seasoning.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients…
Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the spinach is slightly wilted.
Look for: all ingredients are evenly distributed and the spinach is slightly wilted
Tap card to mark done - 07
Transfer the mixture into an 8x8 inch…
Transfer the mixture into an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Tap card to mark done - 08
Arrange the turkey pepperoni evenly across the…
Arrange the turkey pepperoni evenly across the top of the casserole.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 09
Return the dish to the oven and…
Return the dish to the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, until hot throughout and bubbling at the edges.
Look for: hot throughout and bubbling at the edges
Tap card to mark done - 10
Remove from the oven
Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes to set, and divide into portions to serve or store for meal prep.
Allow: 5 minutes
Tap card to mark done
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