Description

This Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake features a luscious blend of cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, and meat, creating a satisfying meal that’s simple to prepare and full of flavor. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home!

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz tube pasta (rigatoni or penne)
1 large yellow onion (diced)
2 large garlic cloves (minced)
1 large zucchini (chopped)
8 oz bella mushrooms (sliced)
1 lb ground beef (turkey, or chicken)
28 oz crushed tomatoes
1 ½ cup cottage cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp dried or fresh parsley
Salt & pepper (to taste)
4 – 8 oz fresh mozzarella (torn)
1 – 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Cook the pasta as per the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large pot, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped zucchini. Let them sit undisturbed for 5-8 minutes to brown, then stir and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
Push the vegetables to one side and add the ground meat. Break it up and cook for 4-5 minutes until mostly cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cottage cheese and mix until fully incorporated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Toss in the cooked pasta until evenly coated with the sauce.
Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, top with torn mozzarella, and bake for 15-20 minutes until melted and bubbly.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

For added flavor, consider mixing in some spinach or other vegetables you enjoy.
Letting the dish sit before serving allows the flavors to meld together even more.
You can make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 70mg