Cheesy casserole combining cottage cheese, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and herbs for a warm, savory dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 2 cups cottage cheese, full fat or low-fat
02 - 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Sauce & 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 & Spices
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried basil or fresh basil for garnish
10 - 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
12 - Fresh parsley or basil for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with olive oil.
02 - In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
04 - Spread half of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
05 - Spoon the cheese mixture evenly over the sauce, smoothing 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 evenly.
08 - Sprinkle oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, if using, evenly over the surface.
09 - Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and the edges are golden. For a browned top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
10 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve warm.
