Ground Beef Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake
A comforting and versatile dish that combines ground beef, pasta, and creamy cottage cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef Lean ground beef recommended
- 2 cups marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade
- 1 medium onion, chopped Add more for extra flavor if desired
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic recommended for flavor
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing the onions and garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Adjust based on personal preference
- Salt and pepper to taste For seasoning the meat
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups pasta (cooked and drained) Shells or rotini work best for this recipe
- 2 cups cottage cheese Low-fat or regular cottage cheese can be used
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Reserve half for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes, then drain excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cottage cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
Baking
- In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, then add the meat sauce on top. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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Notes
For a crunchier topping, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top before final baking. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.