Description
This Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake is a creamy, comforting dish that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Bursting with flavor and packed with nutrients, it combines pasta, cottage cheese, and your favorite vegetables, all baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 8 ounces (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- Cottage Cheese: 2 cups (low-fat or regular)
- Marinara Sauce: 2 cups
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup (shredded)
- Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (grated)
- Vegetables: 1 cup (spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini, chopped)
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (optional, for sautéing veggies)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables (Optional): In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped vegetables and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, sautéed vegetables, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bake to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the recipe by adding cooked protein like chicken or turkey for extra heartiness.
- You can prepare the bake in advance and refrigerate it before baking; just increase the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g