High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake
A comforting pasta bake made with creamy cottage cheese, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, perfect for family dinners and customizable for various dietary needs.
Ingrédients
Pasta Base
- 2 cups pasta (any type you prefer) Short shapes like penne or rotini work best.
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup cottage cheese Can be substituted with ricotta or lactose-free options.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Use freshly grated for better melt quality.
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Sprinkled on top for a crispy crust.
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper Essential for enhancing flavors.
Garnish
- to taste Fresh basil For garnish before serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Gather all ingredients and measure them out.
- Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Mixing
- In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Baking
- Lightly grease a baking dish and pour the pasta and cheese mix into the dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until top is golden and bubbly.
Serving
- Let the bake cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. For freezing, wrap individual servings tightly in foil or plastic wrap.