Cottage Beef and Pasta
Hearty, comforting, and layered with flavor, Cottage Beef and Pasta is the perfect family-friendly dinner that combines indulgent Italian-inspired ingredients with a creamy twist. This baked casserole features tender elbow macaroni tossed with rich cottage cheese, savory ground beef simmered in a simple tomato sauce, and melty layers of mozzarella and Parmesan. Ready in under an hour, this satisfying dish is ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Its balance of textures—from the cheesy, gooey topping to the hearty beef and pasta—creates an irresistible bite every time. Plus, the optional garnish of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to an already crowd-pleasing recipe. Make this simple yet elegant dish tonight, and watch it quickly become a new family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni
- 1.5 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cottage cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until well mixed.
Layer half of the macaroni mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the meat sauce over the top. Repeat the layers with the remaining macaroni mixture and meat sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
524 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.3 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.1 g | 56% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 77 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 883 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.4 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.6 g | ||
| Protein | 32.0 g | 64% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 313 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 476 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
