Description
This Pizza Cottage Cheese Bake is a quick and delicious oven-baked casserole combining creamy cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan with vibrant vegetables and optional pepperoni, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for pizza lovers seeking a comforting bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce & Vegetables
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
Seasonings & Extras
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir until well blended into a smooth mixture.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Fold in the marinara sauce carefully, ensuring the cheese mixture is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Incorporate the Vegetables: Add the chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and black olives to the cheese mixture. Mix thoroughly until vegetables are evenly distributed.
- Season the Mixture: Sprinkle in the dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Top with Pepperoni: If desired, arrange the sliced pepperoni on top of the mixture to add a savory, meaty flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes to set before serving.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni and add more vegetables or plant-based toppings.
- You can substitute the bell peppers with other vegetables like zucchini or spinach if preferred.
- Allow the bake to cool slightly before serving to help it set and improve slicing.
- Use low-sodium marinara sauce if you wish to reduce the salt content.
- Fresh basil is recommended for garnish but can be omitted without impacting flavor significantly.
