Creamy pasta bake with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella bubbling to golden perfection.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
→ Meat & Dairy
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean or higher)
03 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
04 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
06 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (approximately 1 cup)
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced (approximately 2 teaspoons)
→ Sauce
08 - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
09 - 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
10 - ½ cup beef broth or water
→ Pantry & Spices
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
14 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
16 - Fresh parsley or basil leaves for garnish
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente, approximately 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until browned and no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
05 - Stir in tomato paste to coat the beef. Add crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Mix in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - In a large bowl, combine drained pasta, beef-tomato sauce, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella. Toss gently until evenly mixed.
07 - Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden at the edges.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving.
