Description
A warm, bubbling casserole that flips classic comfort flavors into a lighter, weeknight-friendly bake using cottage cheese as the creamy backbone.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (bell peppers, onions, spinach)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled turkey sausage or ground beef (optional)
- 1 cup cauliflower rice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a medium baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, chopped vegetables, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
- If using, stir cooked meat and/or cauliflower rice into the mixture.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spoon the cheese mixture over the sauce and smooth it into an even layer.
- Spoon the remaining marinara on top.
- Sprinkle an extra tablespoon of Parmesan on top if desired.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Broil for 1–2 minutes if needed.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
This casserole is flexible: omit meat for a vegetarian option or swap ingredients based on what you have.