Ingredients
1½ cups orzo pasta
1 head garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the creamy sauce:
1½ cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
For mixing & topping:
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Optional add-ins:
Fresh spinach
Roasted vegetables
Red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35–40 minutes until soft.
3. Meanwhile, cook orzo according to package directions until just al dente; drain.
4. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves into a blender or bowl.
5. Add cottage cheese, milk, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Blend or whisk until smooth.
6. In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo with the cottage cheese sauce.
7. Stir in half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
8. Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish.
9. Top with remaining cheese.
10. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
11. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
• Blending cottage cheese makes the sauce ultra-creamy.
• Add spinach for extra veggies.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: cottage cheese baked orzo, creamy baked orzo, high protein comfort food