Layered Meat and Cottage Cheese Macaroni Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort with this Layered Meat and Cottage Cheese Macaroni Casserole, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Featuring tender macaroni pasta layered with a rich and savory ground beef tomato sauce, a creamy cottage cheese blend, and a golden, bubbly mozzarella topping, this casserole is a crowd-pleasing masterpiece. Enhanced with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, each bite delivers a perfect balance of indulgence and homey delight. Quick to prepare yet deeply satisfying, this recipe combines simplicity with gourmet appeal. Serve it straight from the oven, garnished with fresh parsley for a finishing touch, and enjoy a dish that’s as comforting as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 454 grams macaroni pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500 grams ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 500 grams cottage cheese
• 1 large egg
• 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
• 200 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni pasta according to 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 saute for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the meat is browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Simmer the meat sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. Set aside.

Step 6

In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, beaten egg, parmesan cheese, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Spread half of the cooked macaroni in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.

Step 8

Add half of the meat sauce on top of the macaroni, spreading it evenly.

Step 9

Spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture over the meat sauce, spreading gently to cover it.

Step 10

Repeat the layers with the remaining macaroni, meat sauce, and cottage cheese mixture.

Step 11

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 14

Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2354.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4523.1

Total Fat 201.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 82.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g
Cholesterol 803.5mg	0%
Sodium 7195.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 430.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.7g	0%
Total Sugars 75.6g
Protein 252.2g	0%

Vitamin D 73.8IU	0%
Calcium 2508.9mg	0%
Iron 22.0mg	0%
Potassium 4117.6mg	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: 39.9%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 37.9%