Hearty Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe: Tasty Comfort Food

Creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor, this cottage cheese pasta bake delivers a mouthwatering twist on classic comfort food.

cheese lovers will adore how the cottage cheese melts into a luxurious sauce that coats every single pasta strand.

The dish comes together effortlessly with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

Tender pasta, rich cottage cheese, and a golden crispy top create a meal that’s both satisfying and irresistible.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and robust flavors that’ll make dinner feel like a celebration.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this easy and delicious recipe that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Dive into this cheesy, hearty meal and watch everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s Inside Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

• Pasta: Provides hearty foundation, choose medium-sized pasta like penne or rotini for optimal sauce coating and texture.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds vibrant tomato flavor, select a rich, high-quality sauce with robust seasoning.

• Broccoli, Baby Spinach: Introduces nutritious green elements, pick fresh, crisp vegetables with bright color and no wilting.
• Garlic: Delivers aromatic depth, choose firm, plump cloves with smooth skin for intense flavor.

• Cottage Cheese, Mozzarella: Creates luscious, melty texture, select full-fat versions for maximum creaminess and rich taste.
• Basil Leaves: Provides fresh finishing touch, opt for bright green, fragrant herbs without browning edges.

• Olive Oil: Enables smooth sautéing, choose extra virgin for superior taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance overall seasoning, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor impact.

Equipment for Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake Success

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta, ensures enough space for water and noodles.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Large Pan: Needed to sauté vegetables and create a delicious base for the dish.
• Large Baking Dish: Crucial for mixing ingredients and baking the pasta.
• Cutting Board: Helps chop broccoli and prepare ingredients safely.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise chopping of vegetables and herbs.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding mozzarella if not pre-shredded.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps season the dish with the right amount of salt and pepper.

Cooking Method for Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

• Oven Preparation

Crank up the oven to a toasty 400°F and grab your favorite baking dish for this hearty meal.

• Pasta Foundation

Boil water and cook pasta until it’s perfectly tender, then drain and set aside while getting the veggie magic started.

• Vegetable Symphony

In a sizzling pan, dance garlic and broccoli together until they’re beautifully softened, then invite spinach to join the party and wilt gracefully.

• Creamy Fusion

Combine your cooked pasta, those vibrant vegetables, creamy cottage cheese, and zesty marinara sauce in the baking dish. Season with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, mixing everything into a delicious harmony.

• Cheesy Crown

Blanket the entire creation with a snowfall of mozzarella, ensuring every inch gets some cheesy love.

• Baking Finale

Slide the dish into the waiting oven and let it transform for about 20 minutes, watching the cheese turn golden and bubbly.

• Serving Flourish

Shower with fresh basil leaves and bring this comforting masterpiece straight to the table, ready to delight hungry souls.

Tasty Variations for Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

• Mix different types of pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli for unique textures and shapes.
• Add grilled chicken, ground turkey, or crumbled tofu to increase the protein content and make the dish more filling.
• Replace broccoli with cauliflower, zucchini, or bell peppers to create exciting flavor variations and keep the dish interesting.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding parmesan, ricotta, or goat cheese to create deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
• Assemble the entire dish in advance and refrigerate. When ready to eat, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the cooking time for a convenient weeknight dinner solution.

How to Plate Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

• Fresh Green Salad Companion: Pair this cheesy pasta bake with a crisp mixed green salad featuring cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the rich, creamy pasta with a chilled glass of dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to enhance the dish's flavors.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken strips or roasted shrimp on the side for extra protein and a more substantial dinner option that satisfies hearty appetites.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy pasta bake.

Keep Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake Fresh

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish covered to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for maximum 2 months. Ensure complete cooling before freezing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to restore crispy cheese topping and maintain original texture. Microwave works in a pinch but might soften the cheese layer.
• Ingredient Freshness Tip: Separate fresh herbs like basil just before serving to prevent wilting. Store unused ingredients separately to maintain optimal quality and prevent cross-contamination.

Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Hearty cottage cheese pasta bake satisfies comfort cravings with creamy layers of cheesy goodness. Simple ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (500 grams or 17 oz) cottage cheese, 2% MF
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 cups marinara sauce (or any tomato sauce)
• 3 cups dry penne pasta
• 3 cups baby spinach (tightly packed)
• 2 cups broccoli florets (about 5 oz or 142 grams)
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 5 large leaves fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to a blazing 400°F (200°C), setting the stage for a golden-crusted pasta masterpiece.
2. Pasta Foundation: Bring a substantial pot of water to a vigorous boil, ready to transform pasta into perfectly tender strands.
3. Vegetable Prelude: Deconstruct broccoli into delicate florets and finely chop garlic, preparing the aromatic base of the dish.
4. Culinary Symphony: Cook pasta until achieving an impeccable al dente texture, then drain and set aside as the canvas for the upcoming flavors.
5. Sauté Sonata: In a spacious skillet, heat olive oil and introduce garlic and broccoli, dancing them together for 7 minutes until they caramelize and soften.
6. Green Harmony: Incorporate baby spinach into the vegetable medley, allowing it to gently wilt and release its verdant essence.
7. Composition Assembly: Layer the baking dish with pasta, crowned with the sautéed vegetable ensemble, creating a robust foundation.
8. Creamy Intervention: Distribute cottage cheese throughout the dish, generating pockets of velvety richness.
9. Sauce Infusion: Cascade marinara sauce over the ingredients, blending components into a harmonious mixture while seasoning with salt and pepper.
10. Cheese Crescendo: Blanket the creation with a lavish layer of mozzarella, promising a golden, bubbling finale.
11. Baking Transformation: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing 20 minutes of intense heat to meld flavors and create a molten cheese crust.
12. Finishing Touch: Emerge from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil, adding a fragrant flourish to the completed masterpiece.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni for maximum sauce-holding potential and even cooking.
• Vegetable Prep Power: Chop broccoli into similar-sized florets to ensure uniform cooking and prevent uneven texture.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Allow cottage cheese to come to room temperature before adding to reduce excess liquid and create creamier consistency.
• Flavor Boost Tip: Toast garlic briefly to enhance its nutty, rich flavor without burning, releasing deeper aromatic notes throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg