Description
Looking for an easy recipe that checks all the boxes for comfort, convenience, and flavor? This Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy dream perfect for quick dinners or meal prep. With protein-packed cottage cheese, tangy marinara, and bubbling mozzarella, this dish is a lighter twist on classic pasta bakes. Whether you’re after quick breakfast ideas, easy dinner recipes, or family-friendly food ideas, this bake delivers. It’s satisfying, customizable, and bakes to golden perfection.
Ingredients
12 oz bowtie or penne pasta
2 cups cottage cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
3 cups marinara sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix together cottage cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Add half the pasta, half the cheese mixture, and more sauce. Repeat the layers, finishing with sauce and the remaining mozzarella.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
7. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
For extra moisture, add an extra 1/2 cup marinara sauce before baking.
Feel free to swap in ricotta for cottage cheese for a richer, more traditional texture.
Let the bake rest 5-10 minutes before slicing to help it set cleanly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of dish)
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg