I fully understand why baked feta pasta took over the internet…Throwing everything into one dish and letting the oven do the work is elite behavior.

But this version has a little protein-packed remix. Instead of feta, this baked pink pasta uses cottage cheese blended with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil to create the creamiest, dreamiest pink sauce situation. It’s cozy, comforting, ridiculously easy, and packed with more protein than your average pasta dinner.

As a dietitian, these are the kinds of meals I love recommending because they feel realistic for actual life. Minimal prep, comforting, satisfying, and still supportive of your goals. You don’t need complicated “healthy recipes” to eat well consistently.

The roasted tomatoes become sweet and jammy in the oven, the garlic softens and gets buttery, and once everything gets mixed together with the cottage cheese? It turns into this silky creamy sauce that honestly tastes way fancier than it should for how little effort it takes.

I used Banza pasta here for extra protein and fiber, but honestly any pasta works. Regular pasta, chickpea pasta, high-protein pasta… whatever you have in your pantry.

This is also one of my favorite recipes for busy nights because you can literally let it bake while you:

• clean the kitchen
• answer emails
• take an everything shower
• sit outside with a drink
• survive motherhood

It’s one of those meals that feels comforting without leaving you feeling heavy afterward, which is honestly the sweet spot I’m always trying to hit with recipes. And topped with fresh basil and extra flaky salt? SO good.

Baked Pink Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1–2 tsp salt
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 8 oz high-protein pasta (I used Banza)
• Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Add cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and salt to an oven-safe baking dish. Toss well to combine.
3. Place cottage cheese in the center of the baking dish surrounded by tomatoes.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst and soften.
5. While tomatoes bake, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6. Add fresh basil to the baked tomato mixture and stir everything together until creamy and combined.
7. Add cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss well.
8. Top with more basil, flaky salt, and red pepper flakes if desired ✨

Perfect for:

• easy weeknight dinners
• cozy nights at home
• high-protein comfort food
• meal prep lunches
• lazy girl dinners