![['Close-up view of a golden-brown butternut squash bake with a crispy top.', 'Side angle of a creamy butternut squash bake showing layers of ground turkey and cheese.', 'Juicy butternut squash bake topped with melting parmesan cheese, presented in a baking dish.', 'A nutritious high-protein butternut squash bake with visible chunks of squash and herbs.']](https://cooksyra.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/high-protein-butternut-squash-bake_1_U1.webp)
High Protein Butternut Squash Bake
A nutritious and protein-packed casserole combining lean turkey, creamy cottage cheese, and sweet butternut squash, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1.25 lbs 99% lean ground turkey
Dairy
- 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese, blended until smooth
- 1 cup liquid egg whites
Vegetables
- 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Coat a 9x13 inch dish with non-stick spray.
- Steam or roast butternut squash for 10-12 minutes until tender.
- Sauté onion and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add turkey and cook until browned, reaching 165°F internally.
- Mix cottage cheese, egg whites, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- Fold turkey and squash into cottage cheese mixture, then transfer to dish.
- Top with parmesan and sage, then bake for 35-40 minutes.
Notes
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to set.