Hey there, pasta lovers!
Are you in the mood for a cozy, comforting meal? I’ve got just the thing for you!
Today, I’m excited to share my cottage cheese pasta bake recipe.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-delicious!
Perfect for dinner with the family or a tasty leftover lunch.
Get ready to dig into some serious comfort food. Let’s get started!
| Preparation Time | 15-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the pasta bake:
- salt, to taste
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- pepper, to taste
- 4 large garlic cloves (minced for best flavor)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups cottage cheese (2% fat preferred for creamy texture)
- 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I like Sargento for this)
- 3 cups baby spinach (or regular spinach, roughly chopped)
For the garnish:
- 5 large fresh basil leaves
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prep Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
While waiting for the oven to heat up, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
In the meantime, chop the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic for later use.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Once the water is boiling, cook 3 cups of dry penne pasta to al dente according to the package instructions.
When finished, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
In a pan over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Add the minced garlic and broccoli florets, and sauté for about 7 minutes.
Then, add 3 cups of baby spinach to the pan, cooking until the spinach wilts.
Remove from heat once the vegetables are cooked through.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Veggies
In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed broccoli and spinach, 2 cups of cottage cheese, and 2 cups of marinara sauce.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the combined pasta and vegetable mixture.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top layer of cheese is melted and nicely browned.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and garnish with 5 large leaves of chopped fresh basil.
Serve the dish hot and enjoy your cheesy baked penne with broccoli and spinach.
