Description
This Easy Pizza Cottage Cheese Bake is a delicious and comforting twist on traditional pizza, combining creamy cottage cheese with melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and classic Italian seasonings. Topped with pepperoni and a swirl of pizza sauce, this baked casserole offers a satisfying and cheesy meal that’s simple to prepare and perfect for a family dinner or casual get-together.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- â…“ cup pizza sauce
- 15–20 slices pepperoni
- Optional: ¼ cup ricotta or cream cheese (in dollops)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the baked cheese.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and ½ cup of shredded mozzarella. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to create a smooth, flavorful mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula to form the base layer of the bake.
- Add Pizza Sauce: Spoon the pizza sauce over the top of the cottage cheese mixture, then use the back of the spoon to lightly swirl it through, creating an attractive marbled effect.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese across the top of the sauce layer for a rich, cheesy topping.
- Top with Pepperoni and Optional Dollops: Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese, and if desired, add small dollops of ricotta or cream cheese for extra creaminess.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the bake is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set before slicing into 6 portions and serving warm.
Notes
- You can substitute pepperoni with other toppings like cooked sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers based on preference.
- For a lower sodium option, use low-sodium cottage cheese and pizza sauce.
- Optional ricotta or cream cheese dollops add richness but can be omitted for a lighter dish.
- Letting the dish rest after baking helps the bake firm up and makes slicing easier.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
