Hearty Pizza-Style Cottage Cheese Bake Recipe
Introduction
This Hearty Pizza Style Cottage Cheese Bake is a delicious and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining creamy cottage cheese with classic pizza toppings, it provides a satisfying, protein-packed dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese (can substitute with ricotta)
- 2 large eggs (flaxseed meal can be used as a vegan substitute)
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese (can replace with full-fat mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast can be used for a vegan alternative)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (homemade sauce can reduce sodium content)
- 1 cup turkey pepperoni (can swap with regular pepperoni or a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (mix with other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach)
- 1/2 cup chopped black olives (can substitute with green olives)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (fresh herbs like basil can be substituted)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (use fresh minced garlic for more intensity)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese and eggs until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese, all of the Parmesan cheese, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 4: Spread the cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Step 5: Top the mixture with the pizza sauce, remaining mozzarella cheese, turkey pepperoni, chopped bell peppers, and olives.
- Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
- Step 7: Allow the bake to cool slightly before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegan version, use flaxseed meal instead of eggs, nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan, and plant-based cheeses.
- Add other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Use homemade pizza sauce to control sodium and sugar content.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can be used in place of dried Italian herbs for a vibrant taste.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes or until warmed through to maintain the bake’s texture and flavor.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular pepperoni instead of turkey pepperoni?
Yes, regular pepperoni works perfectly and adds a bit more traditional flavor to the bake.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely. Substitute eggs with flaxseed meal, use plant-based cheeses, and replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast to keep it vegan-friendly.
PrintHearty Pizza-Style Cottage Cheese Bake Recipe
This Hearty Pizza Style Cottage Cheese Bake is a flavorful and wholesome dish perfect for easy weeknight meals. Featuring a blend of low-fat cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and classic pizza toppings like turkey pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives, it offers a healthier twist on traditional pizza flavors baked into a delicious casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy and Eggs
- 2 cups Low-fat cottage cheese (Can substitute with ricotta)
- 2 large Eggs (Flaxseed meal can be used as a vegan substitute)
- 1 cup Part-skim mozzarella cheese (Can replace with full-fat mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (Nutritional yeast can be used for a vegan alternative)
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 cup Pizza sauce (Homemade sauce can reduce sodium content)
- 1 cup Turkey pepperoni (Can swap with regular pepperoni or a vegetarian option)
- 1 cup Chopped bell peppers (Mix with other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach)
- 1/2 cup Chopped black olives (Can substitute with green olives)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian herbs (Fresh herbs like basil can be substituted)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (Use fresh minced garlic for more intensity)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper (Adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all the ingredients to ensure everything is ready for quick assembly.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix base: In a large bowl, whisk together the low-fat cottage cheese and eggs until the texture becomes smooth and creamy, ensuring an even base for the bake.
- Add cheeses and seasonings: Incorporate half of the mozzarella cheese, all the grated Parmesan, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the cottage cheese mixture. Stir well to combine all flavors uniformly.
- Spread mixture: Evenly spread this cheese and egg mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating a solid base layer.
- Add toppings: Top the cheese base with pizza sauce followed by the remaining mozzarella cheese. Distribute turkey pepperoni slices, chopped bell peppers, and black olives evenly on top to replicate classic pizza toppings.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the edges turn golden brown, indicating the bake is cooked through and flavorful.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set and enhance the taste experience.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flaxseed meal, dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives, and turkey pepperoni with vegetarian options.
- Use homemade pizza sauce to control sodium and sugar content for a healthier dish.
- You can customize by adding other vegetables such as mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Adjust seasoning according to your preference, especially salt and garlic powder for flavor intensity.
- Letting the bake cool helps it to firm up, making it easier to slice and serve.
Keywords: pizza style casserole, cottage cheese bake, healthy pizza bake, easy weeknight dinner, low-fat pizza casserole
