Description
This Cottage Cheese Egg Bake is a delicious and protein-packed breakfast or brunch dish featuring sautéed vegetables, creamy cottage cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese baked to golden perfection. It’s an easy-to-make casserole that combines fluffy eggs with nutritious spinach, bell peppers, and onions, providing a comforting and healthy meal for the whole family.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced (red, yellow, or orange)
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Egg Mixture
- 12 large eggs
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided (can substitute regular cheddar, Monterey Jack, or similar)
Other
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (grapeseed, avocado, or olive oil; can substitute butter)
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions or chives
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell peppers and sauté for 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Wilt Spinach and Garlic: Stir in the chopped spinach and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute until the spinach wilts and the garlic becomes fragrant. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Whisk Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, and salt until the mixture is smooth. For an extra creamy texture, you can use an immersion blender to gently blend just until combined, avoiding over-mixing.
- Combine: Stir the sautéed vegetable mixture and half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup) into the egg mixture until evenly distributed.
- Pour into Dish: Pour the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the center is fully set and the top is golden brown.
- Serve and Garnish: Let the bake cool in the dish for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with sliced green onions or chives if desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and consume within 4 days.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to combine the eggs and cottage cheese instead of whisking.
- Ensure the casserole is fully set in the center before removing it from the oven to avoid a runny bake.
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or a similar cheese without altering the recipe’s texture significantly.
- Leftovers can be reheated gently in the microwave or oven to maintain texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
