Introduction

Remember those lazy Saturday mornings, the smell of something delicious baking, and the joy of a simple, satisfying meal? Well, get ready to recreate that cozy feeling any night of the week! This Pizza Cottage Cheese Bake is my new go-to for when I’m craving that classic pizza flavor without all the fuss. It’s so incredibly easy, you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, you can have this in the oven in under 10 minutes!
Easy: Minimal prep means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your evening.
Giftable: Imagine bringing this warm and comforting dish to a friend or neighbor – they’ll be so grateful!
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to pizza lovers, everyone raves about this bake. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Let’s gather our goodies! You probably have most of these on hand already:

1/2 cup mini turkey pepperoni slices: The perfect little bursts of pizza flavor! Turkey pepperoni is a lighter option, but feel free to use your favorite.
1/2 tsp garlic powder: For that essential aromatic kick.
3 large eggs: These are going to bind everything together and make it wonderfully creamy.
1 tsp Italian seasoning: This magical blend is like a shortcut to authentic Italian taste.
1 pinch salt and pepper: Just to enhance all those yummy flavors.
2 cups cottage cheese: This is the star! Don’t be scared if you’re not a huge cottage cheese fan – it transforms in this bake. I like to use full-fat for the creamiest result.
1 cup mozzarella cheese: Because what’s pizza without melty, gooey mozzarella?
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth that we all adore.

How to Make It

Alright, apron on! Let’s get this party started:

Preheat your oven: Get your oven nice and toasty at 375°F (190°C). A warm oven is a happy oven!
Mix the creamy base: In a medium-sized bowl, grab your whisk. Combine the cottage cheese, eggs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk it all together until it’s super smooth and well-blended. I like to make sure there are no big lumps of cottage cheese left.
Stir in the pizza magic: Now, fold in those adorable mini turkey pepperoni slices, the shredded mozzarella cheese, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a good stir so everything is evenly distributed.
Bake it up: Pour your delicious mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. A little grease goes a long way to prevent sticking!
Golden perfection: Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for it to be set in the center and have a lovely, lightly golden brown color on top.
A moment to relax: Let your bake stand for a few minutes before you dig in. This helps it firm up a bit more and makes it easier to serve.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling adventurous? This recipe is super forgiving! Here are a few ideas:

Veggies: Want to sneak in some greens? Finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions would be delicious. Just sauté them briefly before adding to the mix.
Meat Lovers: Feel free to swap the turkey pepperoni for regular pepperoni, cooked crumbled sausage, or even leftover cooked chicken.
Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice little kick!
Cheese Please: Experiment with other cheeses! A little cheddar or provolone could be a fun twist.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets from my kitchen to yours:

Cottage Cheese Consistency: If you’re really sensitive to cottage cheese texture, you can give it a quick blitz in a food processor or blender before mixing. This will make it super smooth!
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time. You want it set, not rubbery.
Prep Ahead: You can totally assemble this entire bake ahead of time and pop it in the fridge. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to cook it. Perfect for busy weeknights!

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! This bake is just as delicious the next day.

Storage: Once completely cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator. It should stay good for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For a crispier top, you can gently reheat a larger portion in a toaster oven or a regular oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes.

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers to common questions:

Is this recipe really good for people who don’t like cottage cheese?

Yes! The cottage cheese becomes incredibly creamy and mild when baked with the eggs and cheese. Most people can’t even tell it’s there!

Can I make this dairy-free?

You could try using a dairy-free cottage cheese alternative and dairy-free mozzarella and Parmesan. The texture might be a little different, but it’s worth experimenting!

Can I freeze this bake?

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it. Let it cool completely, then wrap it well. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as usual. The texture might be slightly softer after freezing.

Easiest Ever Pizza Cottage Cheese Bake

A quick and easy weeknight dinner that tastes like pizza but uses cottage cheese as a base, making it creamy and satisfying.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Servings 4

Equipment

Oven Preheated to 375°F (190°C)
Medium-sized bowl
Whisk
8x8 inch baking dish Greased
Food processor or blender Optional, for smoother cottage cheese
Microwave For reheating
Toaster oven For reheating

Ingredients

Main ingredients

0.5 cup mini turkey pepperoni slices Or your favorite pepperoni
0.5 tsp garlic powder
3 large eggs
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 pinch salt and pepper
2 cups cottage cheese Full-fat recommended for creaminess
1 cup mozzarella cheese Shredded
0.25 cup Parmesan cheese Grated

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Fold in the mini turkey pepperoni slices, shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set and lightly golden brown.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. Add a few extra minutes to baking time if cooking from cold. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.