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Pesto Pasta Bake

Pesto Pasta Bake

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  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This baked pesto pasta is the ultimate one-pan meal—creamy, flavorful, and packed with protein thanks to cottage cheese. It’s the perfect dish for busy weeknights or when you want a comforting, cheesy dinner in minutes!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb short pasta (penne, fusilli, or similar)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, pesto, garlic powder, spinach, and water. Blend until smooth.
  3. In a large greased 9×13-inch baking dish, add the uncooked pasta.
  4. Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture over the pasta and stir until evenly coated.
  5. Sprinkle one cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
  6. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes to allow the pasta to cook through.
  7. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining one cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the dish.
  8. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.