Description
This Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy, protein-packed dinner that makes weeknights feel easy and comforting. Tender pasta is folded with marinara, cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs, then baked until bubbly and golden. It is a simple easy dinner, family meal, meal prep recipe, high protein pasta bake, comfort food idea, and cozy baked pasta for anyone looking for quick dinner ideas with rich flavor and minimal effort.
Ingredients
12 ounces short pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, ziti, or rotini
2 cups cottage cheese
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions, then drain well.
3. In a large bowl, mix the cottage cheese, egg, half of the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Blend the mixture if you want a smoother sauce.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Stir in the marinara sauce and red pepper flakes, then simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Combine the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce and cottage cheese mixture until evenly coated.
7. Spread a small amount of sauce in the baking dish, add the pasta mixture, then top with mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
8. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
10. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture, or blend low-fat cottage cheese if you want a smoother sauce.
Cook the pasta slightly under al dente so it stays tender after baking instead of becoming too soft.
Let the casserole rest before serving so the sauce thickens and the portions scoop cleanly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake, high protein pasta bake, easy dinner, baked pasta, weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta casserole, cottage cheese recipe, pasta dinner ideas