Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Veggies Recipe
This Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Veggies is a wholesome and comforting vegetarian dish featuring tender penne pasta baked with sautéed broccoli, spinach, creamy cottage cheese, and marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or meal prep, this recipe combines healthy veggies with cheesy goodness in an easy-to-make casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 3 cups penne pasta, dry (or other short pasta shape)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (about 5 ounces or 142 grams)
- 3 cups baby spinach (tightly packed or 3 large handfuls)
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Sauce
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups cottage cheese, 2%MF (500 grams or 17 ounces)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or other tomato sauce)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Seasonings and Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 5 large leaves fresh basil, chopped (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While waiting, chop the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic.
- Cook Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and broccoli florets, sautéing for about 7 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted. Remove the pan from heat.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed broccoli and spinach mixture, cottage cheese, and marinara sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly until well mixed.
- Add Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves, and serve the pasta bake hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- This dish can be customized by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Use low-fat or whole milk cottage cheese depending on your preference for creaminess and fat content.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the pasta with gluten-free penne.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Fresh basil adds a bright flavor, but you can also substitute with dried Italian herbs if fresh is unavailable.
Keywords: cottage cheese pasta bake, vegetarian pasta casserole, baked pasta with veggies, easy dinner recipes, healthy pasta bake
