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Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake With Veggies Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Veggies is a quick, easy, and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring penne pasta, broccoli, spinach, and creamy cottage cheese baked with marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella, this dish balances wholesome ingredients with rich flavors. It’s a nutritious twist on a classic pasta bake that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Sauce

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

Vegetables and Herbs

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

Dairy and Oils

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups cottage cheese, 2% MF (500 grams or 17 ounces)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Seasoning

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Veggies: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. While waiting, chop the broccoli into florets and mince the garlic.
  2. Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. Sauté Broccoli and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and broccoli florets, sautéing for about 7 minutes until tender.
  4. Add Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the pan with broccoli and garlic, cooking until wilted. Remove the pan from heat.
  5. Combine Ingredients: In a large baking dish, mix together the cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, cottage cheese, and marinara sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper and stir until all ingredients are well combined.
  6. Add Cheese Topping: Evenly spread the shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and has a golden brown color.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with the chopped fresh basil, and serve hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute penne with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli.
  • For a creamier texture, try mixing some ricotta cheese with the cottage cheese.
  • To add protein, consider mixing in cooked chicken or turkey.
  • Use low-sodium marinara sauce if managing salt intake.
  • Adding red pepper flakes gives a nice subtle heat to the dish.

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