Description
This Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake With Veggies is a nutritious and comforting meal that combines al dente penne pasta with sautéed broccoli, spinach, creamy cottage cheese, and marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a delicious way to enjoy a veggie-packed baked pasta dish that’s both wholesome and satisfying.
Ingredients
Pasta and Veggies
- 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; about 3 large handfuls)
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Sauce
- 2 cups cottage cheese, 2% milk fat (500 gram or 17 ounce container)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or other tomato sauce)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Other
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 5 large leaves fresh basil, chopped (to garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare veggies: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). While waiting for the oven, chop the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic cloves.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and vegetables: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and broccoli florets, sautéing for about 7 minutes until the broccoli starts to soften. Then add the baby spinach and cook until wilted. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Combine pasta bake ingredients: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed broccoli and spinach, cottage cheese, and marinara sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir everything thoroughly until well combined.
- 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 into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves, and serve the pasta bake hot.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with any other short pasta like rigatoni, fusilli, or ziti.
- For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of milk or cream to the cottage cheese before mixing.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, ensure the marinara and cheese are free from animal-derived rennet.
- If you prefer a bit more crispness, broil the pasta bake for the last 2-3 minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated; bake fresh when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
