Cottage Cheesy Beef Bake

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Cottage Cheesy Beef Bake! Packed with layers of tender pasta, savory ground beef simmered in marinara sauce, and a rich blend of creamy cottage cheese, sour cream, and gooey melted mozzarella and cheddar, this baked casserole is pure satisfaction in every bite. Perfect for feeding the whole family, this easy-to-make dinner is ready in just under an hour and combines the warm, cheesy goodness of a baked pasta dish with the protein-rich creaminess of cottage cheese. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of flavor and color, this baked masterpiece is destined to become a weeknight favorite. Simple ingredients, bold flavors, and an irresistible golden-brown topping—what’s not to love?

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 12 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1.5 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic, marinara sauce, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well.

Step 7

Spread half of the cooked pasta into the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the beef and marinara mixture over the pasta. Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture on top.

Step 8

Repeat the layers: add the remaining pasta, followed by the beef mixture and the remaining cottage cheese mixture.

Step 9

Top the dish with the shredded cheddar cheese and the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.

Step 11

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and enjoy your Cottage Cheesy Beef Bake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1860.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4320.2

Total Fat 238.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 121.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.6g
Cholesterol 750.2mg	0%
Sodium 5836.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 325.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.3g	0%
Total Sugars 56.6g
Protein 236.8g	0%

Vitamin D 14.4IU	0%
Calcium 3066.2mg	0%
Iron 13.4mg	0%
Potassium 2310.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.9%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 29.6%