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High Protein Pizza Casserole – A Cozy, Weeknight-Friendly Favorite

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey or chicken (93% lean or leaner)
  • 8 ounces turkey pepperoni (or regular, sliced thin)
  • 2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups no-sugar-added marinara sauce
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar casserole pan.
  2. Brown the meat: Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, then the ground turkey. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
  3. Sauté the veggies: Add onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook until softened and most of the moisture cooks off, 5–7 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
  4. Season it up: Sprinkle in oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir to coat the meat and veggies evenly.
  5. Add the sauce: Pour in the marinara and simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat.
  6. Mix the protein layer: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg. Stir in cottage cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup). This creates a creamy, high-protein layer that sets in the oven.
  7. Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the meat sauce in the baking dish. Dollop and gently spread the cottage cheese mixture over that layer. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
  8. Add toppings: Scatter the remaining mozzarella over the top. Arrange turkey pepperoni evenly so each portion gets a few slices.
  9. Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling.
  10. Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest 8–10 minutes so it slices cleanly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like. Slice and serve warm.