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Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake With Veggies Recipe

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

5 from 14 reviews

This Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Veggies is a delicious and nutritious recipe combining al dente penne pasta, sautéed broccoli and spinach, creamy cottage cheese, and flavorful marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. It’s a wholesome, easy-to-make dish perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s rich in protein and loaded with vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 3 cups penne pasta, dry (or other short pasta shape)

Vegetables & Herbs

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

Dairy & Sauces

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

Others

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. While waiting, chop the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic cloves.
  2. Cook Pasta: Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain well and set aside.
  3. Sauté Veggies: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and broccoli florets, sautéing for about 7 minutes until the broccoli is just tender. Add the baby spinach and cook until it wilts, then remove the pan from the 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 freshly ground black pepper. Stir everything thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
  5. Add Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the combined pasta and vegetable mixture, ensuring a nice cheesy layer.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted and golden brown 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, flavorful meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute penne with any other short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli.
  • To make it vegan, substitute cottage cheese with a plant-based ricotta and use vegan mozzarella.
  • Use low-sodium marinara sauce to reduce the salt content if desired.
  • The dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Use fresh garlic for the best aroma and taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy pasta bake, cottage cheese pasta, vegetable pasta bake, baked penne, low fat dinner recipe, healthy vegetarian pasta

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