Ground Turkey Cottage Cheese Bake Ultimate
This Ground Turkey Cottage Cheese Bake is a creamy, savory, and healthy meal perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines lean ground turkey with the tangy richness of cottage cheese, creating a satisfying and flavorful dish that's surprisingly easy to prepare.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Spoon
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ bell pepper, chopped optional
- 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced optional
- 5 ounces fresh or frozen spinach optional
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Chop the onion and any other vegetables you're using (bell pepper, mushrooms, etc.). Mince the garlic.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet with the turkey. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. If you're using bell pepper or mushrooms, add them now and cook for another 3-5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings like red pepper flakes or Worcestershire sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cottage cheese. Make sure it's evenly distributed throughout the turkey mixture.
- If you're using spinach, stir it in now. If using fresh spinach, it will wilt as it bakes. If using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess water before adding it to the mixture.
- Pour the turkey and cottage cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the top with 3/4 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bake is heated through.
- For a golden-brown top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to slice.
- Top with remaining mozzarella cheese to serve.
Notes
To prevent a watery bake, make sure to drain the cottage cheese well before adding it to the turkey mixture. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the turkey mixture to help absorb excess moisture. For a dry bake, add a little more tomato sauce or a splash of chicken broth. Feel free to experiment with seasonings. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Variations include Mexican-inspired, Mediterranean Twist, vegetarian option with lentils or tofu, or adding rice or pasta.