Pizza-Style Cottage Cheese Bake (Printable Version)

Cozy cheesy casserole blending cottage cheese, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and herbs for a comforting bake.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups cottage cheese, full fat or low-fat
02 - 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Sauce & Vegetables

04 - 2 cups tomato pasta sauce or marinara sauce
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Herbs & Spices

08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried basil or fresh basil for garnish
10 - 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
12 - Fresh parsley or basil for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with olive oil.
02 - In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
04 - Spread half of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
05 - Spoon the cheese mixture evenly over the sauce, smoothing the top with a spatula.
06 - Scatter the sautéed onion and garlic evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top and gently spread to cover.
08 - Sprinkle oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes evenly over the surface.
09 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is bubbly and edges are golden. For a browned top, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and special but comes together faster than ordering delivery.
  • Cottage cheese becomes silky and luxurious when baked with mozzarella, not dense or grainy like you might fear.
  • The whole thing fits in one baking dish, which means minimal cleanup on nights when you're already tired.
02 -
  • Don't skip the brief sauté of onion and garlic—boiling them in the oven makes them harsh and sharp instead of soft and sweet.
  • If your cottage cheese looks watery, drain it through a fine-mesh strainer for 5 minutes before mixing; excess liquid can make the bake soupy rather than creamy.
03 -
  • Make this in advance and refrigerate unbaked for up to a day—just add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time since it'll go straight from cold to oven.
  • If your sauce is particularly watery, simmer it in the skillet for a few minutes to reduce it and concentrate the flavor before layering.
Go Back