This cottage cheese egg bake is a fuss-free, quick, and filling recipe, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a simple lunch or dinner. It’s a high-protein, gluten-free dish that can be easily customized with your favorite vegetables, proteins, and cheeses. The secret to its creamy and tasty texture lies in the cottage cheese, which melts into the eggs during baking, creating a soft and fluffy consistency.
Why Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with protein and calcium, making it a fantastic addition to any meal. As a nutritionist notes, cottage cheese is an excellent way to increase protein intake, which is especially important for maintaining muscle mass as we age. In this recipe, cottage cheese replaces milk, providing healthy fats that are essential for those following a keto diet. Different varieties of cottage cheese (full-fat, reduced-fat, and low-fat) can be used, although straining the cottage cheese to remove excess liquid is recommended when using non-fat or reduced-fat options.
Ingredients and Customization
The basic recipe requires only a few ingredients:
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Spinach
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
However, the beauty of this cottage cheese egg bake lies in its versatility. You can easily incorporate other ingredients to suit your preferences. Some popular additions include:
- Veggies: Diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), onions (yellow or purple), zucchini, sautéed mushrooms, butternut squash, kale, diced tomatoes, green onions.
- Proteins: Cooked sausage, chopped bacon, shredded chicken, ham.
- Cheeses: Feta cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepper jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese.
- Herbs: Fresh basil, chives, Italian seasoning.
Using a frozen diced pepper and onion mix can save time on chopping.
Read also: Cottage Cheese Keto Guide
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish or an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, milk (optional, but adds extra creaminess), Parmesan cheese (save a little for topping), salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Add your fillings: Stir in your choice of vegetables, proteins, and herbs.
- Pour into the dish: Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are golden brown. A knife or toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let it rest: Remove the egg bake from the oven and let it cool for about 10-20 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to firm up slightly.
For a thicker casserole, you can add one tablespoon of almond flour or coconut flour to the egg mixture.
Serving Suggestions
This cottage cheese egg bake is delicious on its own, but it can also be paired with other dishes to create a complete meal. Consider serving it with:
- Hot sauce or salsa
- Fresh chives
- Shredded cheese
- Fresh fruit
- Toast or English muffins
- A side of homemade bread
It’s perfect for weekend brunches, baby showers, Mother’s Day gatherings, or any special occasion.
Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Instructions
This recipe is ideal for meal prep. You can prepare it in advance in several ways:
- Assemble ahead of time: Combine all the ingredients, pour them into the baking dish, cover, and store in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Bake and portion: Bake the casserole, let it cool, cut it into individual servings, and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
- Freeze: Cut the egg bake into individual servings, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for 4-5 hours before reheating.
To reheat, microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes or reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
Read also: Delicious Cottage Cheese Dishes
Tips for Success
- Grease the baking dish: Generously grease the baking dish to prevent the egg mixture from sticking.
- Drain excess moisture: If using vegetables that release a lot of moisture, such as frozen spinach or sautéed onions and peppers, drain the excess moisture before adding them to the egg mixture. This will prevent a watery casserole.
- Don't overbake: Overbaking can result in a dry egg bake. Bake until the center is just set.
- Adjust seasonings: Taste the egg mixture before baking and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Use quality ingredients: Using high-quality ingredients, such as fresh spinach and good quality cottage cheese, will enhance the flavor of the egg bake.
Troubleshooting
- Why is my cottage cheese egg bake watery? This can happen if you use low-fat or reduced-fat cottage cheese, or if your vegetables release too much moisture. To prevent this, strain the cottage cheese before using it, and drain any excess moisture from your vegetables. If the egg bake is already watery, bake it for a few more minutes until it solidifies.
- Can I use egg whites instead of whole eggs? Yes, you can substitute some or all of the whole eggs with egg whites. Use ¼ cup of egg whites to replace each whole egg. Keep in mind that using only egg whites may result in a slightly less flavorful egg bake.
- Can I taste the cottage cheese? When mixed with eggs and other ingredients, the flavor of cottage cheese is very mild and often undetectable, making it a great way to add extra protein without compromising taste. If you are very sensitive to the flavor of cottage cheese, you can substitute it with ricotta cheese, cream cheese, or shredded cheese.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information for this recipe will vary depending on the ingredients you use. However, a serving of this baked cottage cheese egg bake typically provides a good source of protein, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, and healthy fats. The base recipe without any add-ins is calculated based on 4 servings.
Read also: Protein on Carnivore: Cottage Cheese