Go Back
–+ servings
Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake for Cozy Family Nights

This Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake is a delightful and nutritious dish perfect for cozy family nights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Penne Pasta Can swap with gluten-free varieties.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil Can use any neutral oil.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh or powdered.
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets Can substitute zucchini or bell peppers.
  • 2 cups Baby Spinach Kale or Swiss chard can be used.
For the Creaminess
  • 2 cups Cottage Cheese (2% MF) Ricotta can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 cup Marinara Sauce Any tomato-based sauce works.
  • to taste Salt + Pepper Adjust seasoning to taste.
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheddar or any melting cheese is a substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Basil Dried basil can be used if fresh isn't available.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • Baking dish
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step-By-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. Cook the penne pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente, drain, and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic and broccoli for about 7 minutes. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted for about 2-3 minutes.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Spread shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the mixture in the baking dish.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
  7. Let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 22gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For added creaminess, blend the cottage cheese with a bit of marinara sauce before mixing. Adjust seasonings as preferred and experiment with other vegetables as desired.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!