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Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake With Veggies Recipe

Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake With Veggies Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

A wholesome and delicious cottage cheese pasta bake loaded with fresh veggies like broccoli and spinach, baked to perfection with melted mozzarella and fragrant basil. This healthy casserole offers a comforting, high-protein meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Sauce

  • 3 cups penne pasta, dry (or other short pasta shape)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (or other tomato sauce)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 cups broccoli florets (about 5 ounces or 142 grams)
  • 3 cups baby spinach (tightly packed or about 3 large handfuls)
  • 4 large cloves garlic, minced

Dairy

  • 2 cups cottage cheese, 2% milk fat (500 grams or 17 ounces)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Other

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 5 large fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While waiting, chop the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic.
  2. Cook Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and broccoli florets, sautéing for about 7 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, then remove the pan from heat.
  4. Combine 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 well to combine all the flavors evenly.
  5. Add Cheese: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture, covering the surface for a golden cheesy crust.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and lightly browned on top.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve the pasta bake hot for a comforting and nutritious meal.

Notes

  • You can swap penne for other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli depending on your preference.
  • For a vegan version, substitute cottage cheese with vegan ricotta and use a plant-based mozzarella alternative.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • To reduce sodium content, choose a low-sodium marinara sauce and limit added salt.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage cheese pasta bake, healthy casserole, vegetable pasta bake, easy dinner recipe, high protein pasta, baked pasta with veggies, broccoli spinach pasta bake

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/healthy-cottage-cheese-pasta-bake-with-veggies-recipe/