Description
Cottage cheese pasta bake brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with creamy, cheesy goodness. Hearty noodles meld perfectly with tangy cottage cheese, creating a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Dairy:
- 2 cups cottage cheese, 2% MF (500 grams or 17 ounces)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 3 cups dry penne pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets (about 5 ounces or 142 grams)
- 3 cups baby spinach (tightly packed)
- 5 large leaves fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or any tomato sauce)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a scorching 400°F (200°C), ensuring a perfectly crisp and golden finish for the pasta bake.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, preparing for the pasta cooking process.
- While the water heats, meticulously break down broccoli into delicate florets and finely mince the aromatic garlic.
- Submerge pasta into the boiling water, cooking until it reaches the ideal al dente texture. Carefully drain and set aside.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
- Introduce minced garlic and broccoli florets to the hot pan, sautéing for approximately 7 minutes until the vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized.
- Gently fold baby spinach into the vegetable mixture, allowing it to wilt and release its vibrant green color.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a large baking dish, creating a welcoming base for the remaining ingredients.
- Layer the sautéed broccoli and spinach over the pasta, ensuring an even distribution of vegetables.
- Generously dollop cottage cheese across the dish, creating creamy pockets throughout the mixture.
- Pour marinara sauce over the ingredients, using a spatula to blend everything together seamlessly.
- Season the entire mixture with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Sprinkle a luxurious layer of shredded mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a golden, bubbling crust.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, golden-brown blanket.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves, adding a final touch of aromatic freshness.
- Serve immediately, presenting a steaming, colorful pasta bake that promises to delight the senses.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Chop broccoli and mince garlic before starting to streamline the cooking process and save time in the kitchen.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and ensure a pleasant bite in the final dish.
- Veggie Boost: Sautéing broccoli and spinach intensifies their flavors and helps them blend seamlessly with the creamy cottage cheese.
- Cheese Magic: Mix cottage cheese directly into the pasta for a protein-packed, creamy base that adds richness without heavy cream.
- Melty Topping: Shredded mozzarella creates a golden, crispy cheese layer that makes the dish irresistibly appealing and gives a delightful textural contrast.
- Fresh Finish: Sprinkle chopped basil just before serving to add a burst of fresh herb flavor and brighten the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 30mg