Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Ground Beef (Print Version)
Cottage cheese pasta bake loaded with ground beef and creamy sauce. High-protein, hearty, and ready in under an hour.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
# Ingredients:
→ Hearty Meat Base
01 -
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (85/15)
02 -
1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
05 -
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
→ Creamy Cottage Cheese Filling
06 -
2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
07 -
1 large egg
08 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 -
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
→ Pasta Foundation
10 -
12 oz rigatoni pasta, uncooked
11 -
1 tbsp olive oil
12 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Golden Cheesy Crust
13 -
2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
14 -
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 -
1 tsp garlic powder
16 -
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
17 -
2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook 12 oz rigatoni with 1 tbsp olive oil until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside — the pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
02 -
In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef, breaking it apart until no pink remains. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 -
Pour in the 24 oz jar of marinara sauce and the drained 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes into the beef mixture. Stir well to combine and simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and fold in the cooked rigatoni until every piece is well coated.
04 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning until fully combined. This creamy mixture is the secret layer that makes this Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Ground Beef incredibly rich and satisfying.
05 -
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the beef and pasta mixture evenly on the bottom. Dollop and spread the entire cottage cheese filling over the first layer. Top with the remaining beef and pasta mixture, pressing gently to create an even surface ready for the cheesy crust.
06 -
In a small bowl, toss together 2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese with 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the top of your Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Ground Beef for a bold, golden crust.
07 -
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling at the edges. The top should have beautiful golden-brown spots throughout your Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Ground Beef.
08 -
For the best Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake with Ground Beef, let it rest uncovered for 8-10 minutes before slicing — this allows the layers to set for clean, beautiful portions. Finish with 2 tbsp freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley scattered over the top for a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, cheesy bake.
# Notes:
01 -
💡 Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the entire bake up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time since it will be going in cold from the fridge.
02 -
🔄 Substitution Tip: No rigatoni on hand? Ziti, penne, or large shells work beautifully in this recipe and hold the creamy cottage cheese filling just as well. You can also swap lean ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage for a flavor twist.
03 -
🧊 Storage Advice: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of water to keep the pasta moist, or cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
04 -
🍽️ Serving Tip: This hearty bake pairs perfectly with a simple Caesar salad and warm garlic bread to soak up the extra marinara sauce. For a lighter side, serve alongside steamed broccoli or a crisp arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
large pot
02 -
colander
03 -
large skillet
04 -
9x13 inch baking dish
05 -
mixing bowl
06 -
wooden spoon
07 -
aluminum foil
08 -
oven
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 620 kcal
Total Fat: 28 g
Total Carbohydrate: 52 g
Protein: 42 g