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Healthy cottage cheese pasta bake with spinach and broccoli, topped with melted cheese.

Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

A cozy, high-protein pasta bake that is creamy and filling, perfect for comforting weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz Pasta (penne, rotini, rigatoni, or shells) Cook until barely tender
  • 2 cups Cottage cheese Use 2 percent or full fat for creaminess
  • 2 cups Marinara sauce Use your favorite jar or homemade
  • 1 cup Shredded mozzarella For topping
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese For added flavor
  • 1 large Egg Helps the sauce set
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt Taste as you go
  • to taste Black pepper Taste as you go
Optional Add-Ins
  • 1 cup Sautéed spinach Optional
  • 1 cup Chopped zucchini Optional
  • 1 cup Mushrooms Optional
  • 1 cup Cooked ground turkey or Italian sausage Optional
  • to taste Fresh basil Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil your pasta and cook it just until barely tender, then drain.
  2. In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, egg, half of the marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and a little pepper. Blend until smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, stir the cooked pasta with the cottage cheese mixture and remaining marinara. Add any optional cooked veggies or meat now.
Baking
  1. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  2. Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
  3. Bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1 to 2 minutes for a golden top.

Notes

Leftovers reheat well. If it's a little dry when reheating, stir in a spoonful of marinara. This dish can be made ahead by assembling the night before and baking straight from the fridge, adding 5 to 10 extra minutes to the bake time.