Cheese Bake – Easy Protein-Packed Dinner Recipe
This Pizza Style Cottage Cheese Bake is a delicious, protein-packed dinner that’s easy to make and perfect for a nutritious meal. Combining creamy cottage cheese with mozzarella, turkey pepperoni, and Italian seasonings, it offers all the flavors of a classic pizza without the crust. Baked to golden bubbly perfection, it’s a great low-carb alternative for pizza lovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 large eggs
Meat
- 1/2 cup mini turkey pepperoni slices
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cottage Cheese and Eggs: In a large bowl, whisk the cottage cheese and eggs together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Cheeses and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded mozzarella, most of the mini turkey pepperoni slices (set aside some for topping), grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly distributed.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the cheese and egg mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly arrange the remaining turkey pepperoni slices on top as a delicious garnish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is set, the cheese is bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bake cool for a few minutes before slicing to allow it to set further. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, enhancing the pizza flavors.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey pepperoni and add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- You can substitute turkey pepperoni with regular pepperoni or other deli meats as preferred.
- Serve with marinara or your favorite pizza sauce to elevate the flavor.
- Ensure the baking dish is greased well to avoid sticking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Keywords: cottage cheese bake, protein-packed dinner, low carb pizza, turkey pepperoni casserole, easy baked dinner
