A high protein is a meal that is currently sought after & this dish is one of the best! It has all of the ingredients in it for a perfect balance of meat & pasta to fill you up from the first bite to the last!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. 93/7 ground beef
• 16 oz. cottage cheese, 1% milkfat
• 15 oz. Barilla Protein Plus Bowtie Pasta
• 10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 oz. Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 c. water
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp. oregano
• Salt & black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package’s directions. When it is finished, drain it & return it to the saucepan. Then set it aside.
2. While the pasta is cooking use a blender to add the cottage cheese, the freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/4 c. water. Blend all until smooth & creamy.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat add the ground beef, cook it until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks so that it is not in clumps.
4. Add the tomatoes to the ground beef & let them cook for 5 minutes. Or until the tomatoes start to get soft.
5. Add in the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning & oregano. Stir well to combine. Cook for 30 seconds & add in the minced garlic then cook for another 30 seconds.
6. Reduce the heat to low & add in the cottage cheese sauce. Stir all of the ingredients together & let them cook for 2-3 minutes.
7. Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta. Mix well so that the pasta is well coated. Give it a taste then add salt & black pepper (to taste).