Pasta can be a filling starting point for lunch or dinner, especially when you add chicken, tuna, beef, or cottage cheese. These High Protein Pasta Recipes include creamy stovetop meals, bubbling bakes, slow cooker dinners, and cold salads, giving you plenty of ways to change your weekly menu.
The protein figures are the supplied recipe estimates, ranging from 20 to 48 grams per serving. Actual amounts depend on portions and ingredients. Choose a cooking method that fits your day, then check the linked recipe for serving sizes, preparation steps, and any finishing touches before you start cooking for your family.
1. Cranberry Chicken Pasta with White Cheddar
Fusilli catches a creamy white cheddar sauce, while sliced chicken makes this a hearty dinner. Dried cranberries add chewy, sweet bites against the savory garlic base. Stir them in near the end to keep their texture distinct. The listed estimate is 44 g protein per serving.
Cook this cranberry chicken pasta with white cheddar for a sweet and savory dinner.
2. High-Protein Tuna Pasta Salad
Flaky canned tuna and elbow pasta meet crunchy celery and red onion in this cool salad. Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon, and Dijon make the creamy dressing. Let the pasta cool before mixing, then chill for the flavors to settle. The listed estimate is 32 g protein per serving.
Try this high-protein tuna pasta salad for lunch on a busy weekday.
3. Crockpot Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Ground beef, green bell pepper, and onion give penne familiar cheesesteak flavor. Cream cheese and provolone turn the savory cooking liquid into a creamy sauce. Boil the pasta separately and fold it through at the end for better texture. The listed estimate is 41 g protein per serving.
Make this crockpot Philly cheesesteak pasta for dinner with a salad alongside.
4. Cottage Cheese and Pesto Pasta Bake
Blended cottage cheese and basil pesto make a creamy sauce for short pasta. Parmesan adds savory flavor, while mozzarella melts across the top in the oven. Keep the pasta slightly firm before baking and finish with fresh basil. The listed estimate is 28 g protein per serving.
Spoon out this cottage cheese and pesto pasta bake for a meatless dinner.
5. Creamy Cottage Cheese Chicken Pasta
Cottage cheese blends into a smooth sauce with broth and Parmesan for this chicken pasta. Garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning keep the flavor savory and familiar. Gentle simmering helps the sauce stay creamy while the chicken remains tender. The listed estimate is 38 g protein per serving.
Prepare this creamy cottage cheese chicken pasta tonight for your next family meal.
6. Mac and Cheese Ham Casserole
Elbow macaroni and diced ham make a comforting baked dinner with a creamy cheese sauce. The pasta stays soft inside while the top develops golden edges. Use leftover ham when you have it, and keep the pasta slightly undercooked before baking. The listed estimate is 31 g protein per serving.
Serve this mac and cheese ham casserole warm for dinner.
7. High Protein Tuscan Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken, chickpeas, and chickpea pasta share a bowl with crunchy cucumber and celery. Blended cottage cheese and sun-dried tomatoes make a creamy dressing without mayonnaise. Lemon brightens the mixture, which works well cold or slightly chilled for lunch. The listed estimate is 31 to 36 g protein per serving.
Pack this Tuscan chicken pasta salad for lunch this coming week.
8. Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika flavor chicken as it slow cooks with peppers and onion. Cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan make the sauce rich. Separately cooked penne goes in near the end, followed by fresh chopped parsley. The listed estimate is 48 g protein per serving.
Bring this Crock Pot Cajun chicken pasta to dinner with simple vegetables alongside.
9. Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake
Cottage cheese gives this warm pasta bake a creamy texture and adds protein to a familiar dinner. It is a simple choice when you want a meatless pasta option. Pair a serving with broccoli or a crisp green salad. The listed estimate is 24 g protein per serving.
Try this healthy cottage cheese pasta bake tonight for a comforting dinner.
10. Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
Chicken breasts cook with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs before cheese tortellini joins the slow cooker. Cream and Parmesan give the sauce a rich finish. Add the refrigerated pasta near the end so the little pockets stay tender. The listed estimate is 40 g protein per serving.
Enjoy this slow cooker Marry Me chicken tortellini for your family tonight.
11. Mediterranean Chicken Feta Pasta Bake
Seared chicken thighs sit above pasta coated in a creamy feta and tomato sauce. Olives, peppers, and lemon bring salty, sweet, and bright flavors. Keep the browned skin above the liquid to preserve its crisp texture during cooking. The listed estimate is 36 g protein per serving.
Serve this Mediterranean chicken feta pasta bake tonight for a relaxed weekend dinner.
12. Cottage Cheese Lasagna Soup
Broken lasagna noodles simmer in a tomato broth with browned ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cottage cheese and mozzarella go in near the end for a creamy finish. Parmesan and fresh basil bring familiar lasagna flavor to each bowl. The listed estimate is 38 g protein per serving.
Ladle up this cottage cheese lasagna soup tonight when you want comfort.
13. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Rotini, diced chicken, crisp bacon, and cheddar make this cold salad hearty enough for lunch. Ranch dressing and mayonnaise coat the pasta, with red onion adding crunch. Cool the cooked pasta before mixing so the dressing keeps its creamy texture. The listed estimate is 27 g protein per serving.
Make this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad ahead for weekday lunches.
14. Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken breasts slowly cook with condensed chicken soup and tomatoes with green chiles. Cream cheese and sharp cheddar make a thick sauce for separately boiled spaghetti. Shred the chicken before combining, then finish the warm pasta with chopped parsley. The listed estimate is 42 g protein per serving.
Follow this crockpot chicken spaghetti recipe for dinner for your family tonight.
15. Cottage Cheese Pizza Pasta Bake
Rigatoni, ground beef, pizza sauce, and cottage cheese bring pizza flavors to a bubbling pasta bake. Mozzarella makes a melted topping, while pepperoni adds savory bites. Cook the pasta slightly short of done so it keeps some texture after baking. The listed estimate is 36 g protein per serving.
Share this cottage cheese pizza pasta bake tonight for your family.
16. Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad
Tender chicken and rotini join cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley in this fresh salad. Lemon dressing keeps the flavor bright, while feta adds a salty finish. Let the pasta cool before mixing to keep the vegetables crisp. The listed estimate is 26 g protein per serving.
Toss this Mediterranean chicken pasta salad for lunch for your next lunch.
17. Cottage Cheese Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
Blended cottage cheese makes a smooth sauce for penne and Cajun seasoned chicken. Red bell pepper, onion, and garlic add savory flavor, while mozzarella gives the bake a bubbly top. This is a warm dinner with gentle smoky heat. The listed estimate is 43 g protein per serving.
Bake this cottage cheese Cajun chicken pasta bake for your family tonight.
18. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo with Jar Sauce
Jarred Alfredo sauce gives chicken a creamy base without making a separate sauce. Broth and garlic powder round out the flavor. Cook the penne separately, then combine it with the cooked chicken and Parmesan just before serving the pasta. The listed estimate is 36 g protein per serving.
Try this crockpot chicken Alfredo with jar sauce for an easy dinner.
19. Cottage Cheese & Broccoli Pasta Bake
Broccoli florets and short pasta cook in the same pot before joining cottage cheese, milk, and Parmesan. Mozzarella melts through the bake and across its top. Garlic powder, onion powder, and basil give this meatless dinner a mild flavor. The listed estimate is 20 g protein per serving.
Enjoy this cottage cheese and broccoli pasta bake for a meatless meal.
20. Crack Chicken Pasta Bake
Leftover rotisserie chicken makes preparation easier for this creamy penne bake. Ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and evaporated milk create the sauce. Cheddar, mozzarella, and bacon add savory flavor, with parsley finishing the bubbling dish after it leaves the oven. The listed estimate is 31 g protein per serving.
Put this crack chicken pasta bake on your menu for dinner tonight.
21. Mediterranean Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken, tomatoes, and spinach turn spaghetti into a filling dinner with fresh Mediterranean flavors. The vegetables add color alongside the tender pasta and savory chicken. Choose this one when you want a warm pasta meal built around familiar ingredients. The listed estimate is 39 g protein per serving.
Make this Mediterranean tomato spinach chicken spaghetti tonight for a simple dinner.
22. Crockpot Crack Chicken Penne Pasta
Chicken cooks with ranch seasoning, broth, and cream cheese until tender enough to shred. Cheddar melts into the sauce before cooked penne is folded through. Bacon and sliced green onions add a smoky bite and fresh finish to each serving. The listed estimate is 48 g protein per serving.
Serve this crockpot crack chicken penne pasta warm for family dinner.
23. Crockpot Philly Cheese Steak Pasta Casserole
Shaved beef gets a quick sear before slow cooking with onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. Rotini cooks in the savory broth, while cream cheese and provolone make it creamy. More provolone melts across the top before serving this dinner. The listed estimate is 41 g protein per serving.
Try this crockpot Philly cheese steak pasta casserole for supper tonight.
Final Thoughts
These High Protein Pasta Recipes give you options for different schedules and tastes. A cold tuna or chicken salad can cover lunch, while a cottage cheese bake or creamy slow cooker pasta makes a warm dinner. You can also choose between tomato sauces, pesto, ranch, Alfredo, and savory cheese sauces.
Start with a few recipes that use ingredients you already keep at home. Read the full instructions before planning ahead, since some dishes need pasta or cheese added near the end. Use the protein estimates as a helpful guide, and pair your pasta with vegetables or salad when you want something fresh.