Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
This comforting Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake combines tender pasta with creamy cottage cheese and vibrant marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan for a deliciously cheesy finish. Perfect for a family dinner that’s both hearty and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, marinara sauce, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well incorporated to create a creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the sauce mixture and gently stir to evenly coat all the pasta.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly for consistent baking.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the dish for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the bake to set slightly.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, substitute part of the cottage cheese with ricotta cheese.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the sauce mixture for added nutrition.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven before serving.
Keywords: cottage cheese pasta bake, baked pasta, cheesy pasta casserole, easy pasta bake, vegetarian pasta
Find it online: https://famdishes.com/cottage-cheese-pasta-bake-recipe/
