Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Broccoli
Savor the creamy, delicious Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Broccoli any time of year, a vegetarian main dish packed with micro- and macronutrients from spinach, broccoli, and protein-rich cottage cheese. Pair it with a fresh lettuce salad for a refreshing contrast to its rich cheesy goodness. I love whipping it up when I’m craving a hearty yet wholesome meal that’s simple to prepare. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the oven, though it’s still tasty cold if you have leftovers!
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups tomato passata (tomato sauce) (24 oz)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
For the Pasta Bake:
- 14 oz pasta penne, fusilli, or rigatoni (about 3½ cups)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli chopped
- 3½ oz fresh spinach about 2 cups
- 1¼ cups water
- 1½ cups cottage cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Make the Marinara Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in passata, pepper, salt, oregano, and basil. Simmer for 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large casserole dish, combine uncooked pasta, chopped broccoli, cottage cheese, water, and the prepared marinara sauce. Stir well to mix. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- While it bakes, roughly chop the spinach.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil. Stir in the chopped spinach, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Return to the oven and bake uncovered for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley (if using) and serve hot. Enjoy!
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on low heat if needed, though it’s also delicious cold!
Reheat gently on low heat if needed, though it’s also delicious cold!