Cheesy bake combining cottage cheese, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and herbs for a warm, savory dish.
# Components:
→ Dairy
01 - 2 cups cottage cheese, full fat or low fat
02 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Sauce and 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 and Spices
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried basil, or fresh basil for garnish
10 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
12 - Fresh parsley or basil for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9 by 9 inch baking dish with olive oil.
02 - In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Mix until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
04 - Spread half of the tomato sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
05 - Spoon the cheese mixture evenly over the sauce layer and smooth 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 to 30 minutes until the top is bubbly and edges are golden. For additional browning, broil for 1 to 2 minutes under close observation.
10 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve warm.
