High-Protein Veggie Bake with Cottage Cheese Recipe
This High-Protein Veggie Bake with Cottage Cheese is a wholesome and delicious casserole packed with fresh vegetables and rich cottage cheese. It combines the creaminess of cottage cheese and eggs with a medley of colorful veggies like broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and red onion, baked to golden perfection with a cheesy mozzarella topping. Ideal for a nutritious breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this easy-to-make dish is both satisfying and healthy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Egg Mixture and Seasonings
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Cooking spray or a small amount of additional olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Vegetables and Cottage Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, chopped broccoli, diced bell pepper, sliced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped spinach, and finely chopped red onion. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and dried oregano until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the egg mixture over the vegetable and cottage cheese mixture. Stir everything together until all the vegetables and cheese are evenly coated with the egg mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish to ensure uniform cooking.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture to create a delicious, melty crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set, indicating that the casserole is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set and make slicing easier.
Notes
- Feel free to swap in other vegetables such as mushrooms, carrots, or asparagus based on availability and preference.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and reheated, making it convenient for meal prep.
- For a dairy-free version, try using a plant-based cottage cheese alternative and vegan mozzarella.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley as a garnish to add extra flavor and color before serving.
- If you prefer a crispier top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Keywords: High protein veggie bake, cottage cheese casserole, healthy vegetable bake, baked vegetable casserole, vegetarian protein bake, easy veggie bake, nutritious casserole
