Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake
This Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy, and incredibly easy dinner. It uses simple ingredients to create a comforting meal the whole family will love, making it perfect for any busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (ribboned)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: First, set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water according to the package directions until it's al dente.
- Make the Sauce: In a large bowl, mix together cottage cheese, marinara sauce, thawed spinach, cloves of garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Everything: Drain the cooked pasta well and add it to the bowl with the sauce. Stir in fresh basil until everything is nicely combined.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use full-fat cottage cheese and mozzarella.
- Make sure to squeeze all the water out of the spinach to avoid a watery sauce.
- Feel free to add cooked ground meat or extra veggies to this dish.
- This bake can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.