This Cottage Cheese Pizza Pasta Bake is like your two favorite comfort foods had a delicious baby.
Creamy, cheesy pasta with all your favorite pizza toppings baked into one easy dish.
It’s cozy, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
It’s one of those recipes that feels like a cheat meal but still gives you a good dose of protein thanks to the cottage cheese.
I make this when I want something hearty that doesn’t take forever to throw together.
What You’ll Need
- 12 oz penne pasta (or any short pasta)
- 2 cups small curd cottage cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices (or regular sliced pepperoni)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Olive oil or nonstick spray (for greasing the baking dish)
Why I Love This Recipe
This one’s always in rotation at my place. It started when I had leftover pasta, half a tub of cottage cheese, and some random pizza toppings — I threw it all together and boom: Pizza Pasta Bake.
- Tastes like pizza but feels a little more filling
- Cottage cheese adds a protein boost without making it heavy
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
- The leftovers heat up like a dream
Servings and Cook Time
Servings: 6
Cook Time: 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min bake)
Macros (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Cottage cheese melts down and combines with milk to make a creamy, protein-rich base. When it bakes with pizza sauce and cheese, it creates a layered flavor that’s tangy, creamy, and cheesy — just like pizza, but with pasta that holds the sauce perfectly. The top layer crisps up from the mozzarella and pepperoni, making every bite taste like a slice.
Common Mistakes
- Overcooking the pasta — it’ll get too soft after baking
- Using watery cottage cheese — stick to full fat for best texture
- Not seasoning the sauce — you need those spices for that “pizza” flavor
- Forgetting to grease the baking dish — it’ll stick and make cleanup tough
What to Serve With
- A side Caesar salad
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Roasted green beans or steamed broccoli
- A fizzy drink or sparkling water with lemon
FAQ
Can I use marinara instead of pizza sauce?
Yes, but pizza sauce has a bolder flavor that works better here.
Can I leave out the pepperoni?
Totally. You can also swap in mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based cheese and unsweetened almond milk — texture might change a bit but still good.
Can I freeze this?
Yes! Let it cool fully, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months.
Make Ahead Tips
- Mix everything and store covered in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
- You can also bake it, cool it, and reheat individual servings during the week.
Recipe
Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook 12 oz penne pasta in salted water until just under al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than the package says). Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Melt butter and season
In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
Step 3: Mix the sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups small curd cottage cheese, ½ cup whole milk, and the seasoned butter mixture. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Add pizza sauce, Parmesan, and cooked pasta
To the same bowl, add 1 ½ cups pizza sauce, ½ cup grated Parmesan, and the drained penne pasta. Stir until everything is coated.
Step 5: Mix in cheese and pepperoni
Fold in 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup mini pepperoni slices.
Step 6: Transfer to baking dish and top with more cheese and pepperoni
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil spray. Pour in the pasta mixture and spread evenly. Top with the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella and the remaining ¼ cup pepperoni.
Step 7: Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
Step 8: Garnish and serve
Let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve warm in a round white ceramic bowl.
Try this Cottage Cheese Pizza Pasta Bake next time you’re craving something cozy and loaded with flavor. If you make it, drop a comment and let me know how it went — and share your favorite toppings too!