Cottage Cheese Alfredo Pasta Bake Recipe
A creamy and comforting Cottage Cheese Alfredo Pasta Bake that combines tender penne pasta with a rich, smooth Alfredo sauce made from cottage cheese, Parmesan, and garlic. This baked dish is topped with a golden crust and fresh parsley, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain the water and set the pasta aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Cook briefly until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the sauce: In a blender, combine cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Heat the sauce: Pour the blended sauce into the skillet with the sautéed garlic and gently heat it through to meld the flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and mix well to fully coat the pasta.
- Transfer to baking dish: Grease a baking dish, then pour the sauced pasta into it, spreading it evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chopped parsley on top before serving warm.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add mozzarella cheese on top before baking.
- Substitute milk with a plant-based alternative to make it lactose-free.
- Ensure not to overcook the pasta initially as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Use fresh garlic for the best aroma and taste.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Alfredo, Pasta Bake, Baked Pasta, Healthy Alfredo Sauce, Comfort Food
