High Protein Vodka Pasta Meal Prep: A Delicious and Nutritious Option for Your Week
Are you tired of the same old meal preps and looking for a flavorful and protein-packed option to spice up your week? Look no further! In this blog post, I will be sharing a mouthwatering recipe for High Protein Vodka Pasta Meal Prep that will leave you satisfied and energized throughout your busy days. With the perfect blend of rigatoni, savory chicken sausages, nutritious broccoli, and a vodka-infused tomato-cottage cheese sauce, this meal prep option is a surefire way to add excitement to your lunch routine. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients:
Before we get into the cooking process, let’s take a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need:
– 1 lb rigatoni (yielding four meal preps and a delicious dinner)
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1/4 cup chopped onion
– 3/4 cup cottage cheese
– 2 tsp minced garlic or garlic paste
– 3 tbsp vodka
– 3 tbsp tomato paste
– 1/2 cup pasta water
– Optional: crushed red pepper for a bit of heat
– 1 head broccoli, cut into tiny pieces
– 4 precooked chicken sausages of your choice (try the spicy Italian from Trader Joe’s!)
For the Broccoli and Chicken Sausage Seasoning:
– Salt
– Pepper
– Oregano
– Basil
– Garlic powder
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Begin by boiling water and cooking the rigatoni according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is perfectly al dente, drain it and set it aside.
2. In a large pan, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing them until the onions turn translucent, approximately four minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and vodka, combining them with the sautéed onions and garlic. For added flavor, you can sprinkle some crushed red pepper for a touch of spiciness.
4. Pour in the pasta water and continue stirring until the sauce is well-cooked and comes together beautifully.
5. Now comes the secret to the creamy richness of the sauce – the cottage cheese! If you have a blender, use blended cottage cheese, or regular cottage cheese will work just as well. Stir it into the sauce until it’s evenly distributed, and then remove the pan from the heat.
6. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before transferring it to a high-speed blender. Blend the mixture until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Set the sauce aside for later use.
7. In another pan, add a bit of olive oil and place the cut-up chicken sausages and broccoli pieces. Season them generously with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Sauté the mixture until the broccoli turns a vibrant green and the sausages are heated through.
8. Now, it’s time to combine all the elements of this delectable meal prep. Mix the cooked rigatoni with the sauce until each noodle is coated beautifully.
9. Divide the sautéed broccoli and chicken sausages into four meal prep containers, and then add a generous serving of the vodka pasta on top. You can also choose to mix the broccoli and sausages directly with the pasta to ensure everything is thoroughly coated in the luscious sauce.
Recipe Subsites and Tips:
- For a twist on the vodka pasta sauce, you can try substituting vodka with white wine or chicken broth. Each option will bring a unique flavor profile to the dish, so experiment and see which one you prefer.
- If you’re looking to make this meal prep even more protein-rich, consider adding grilled chicken breast or tofu to the mix.
- To enhance the texture and taste of the dish, consider adding some grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast on top before sealing your meal prep containers.
- For a gluten-free version, swap out the rigatoni for your favorite gluten-free pasta variety.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully prepared a high protein vodka pasta meal prep that will keep you energized and satisfied throughout your busy week. This flavorful and nutritious dish combines the richness of the vodka-infused sauce with the wholesome goodness of rigatoni, broccoli, and chicken sausages. So, the next time you find yourself in need of a delightful lunch option, simply reach for your prepped containers and enjoy this mouthwatering meal! Happy cooking!
Easy High Protein Vodka Pasta Meal Prep Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb rigatoni
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 tsp minced garlic or garlic paste
- 3 tbsp vodka
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese blended or regular
- 1/2 cup pasta water
- Optional: crushed red pepper for a bit of heat
- 1 head broccoli cut into tiny pieces
- 4 precooked chicken sausages of your choice e.g., spicy Italian from Trader Joe's
For the Broccoli and Chicken Sausage Seasoning:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oregano
- Basil
- Garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Vodka Pasta Sauce: In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing them for about 4 minutes until the onions become translucent.
- Add Tomato Paste and Vodka: Stir in the tomato paste and vodka, combining them with the sautéed onions and garlic. If you like a bit of heat, sprinkle some crushed red pepper into the mixture.
- Add Pasta Water and Cottage Cheese: Pour in the pasta water and continue stirring until the sauce is well-cooked and comes together. Add the cottage cheese to the pan and mix it into the sauce until it's evenly distributed. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Blend the Sauce: Allow the sauce to cool slightly before transferring it to a high-speed blender. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy. Set the sauce aside for later use.
- Sauté Broccoli and Chicken Sausages: In another pan, add a bit of olive oil and place the cut-up chicken sausages and broccoli pieces. Season them generously with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Sauté the mixture until the broccoli turns a vibrant green and the sausages are heated through.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the creamy vodka sauce. Mix until each noodle is coated beautifully with the sauce.
- Assemble Meal Prep Containers: Divide the sautéed broccoli and chicken sausages into four meal prep containers. Add a generous serving of the vodka pasta on top of each container.
- Store and Enjoy: Seal the meal prep containers and refrigerate them for your week's lunches. When you're ready to enjoy, simply reheat the container in the microwave or stovetop, and your delicious High Protein Vodka Pasta Meal Prep is ready to serve!
Notes
For extra protein, add grilled chicken breast or tofu to the mix.
Try substituting vodka with white wine or chicken broth for a unique flavor twist.
To make it gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free pasta variety.