Description
This High-Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Bake is a nutritious and satisfying dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a protein-packed meal any time of the day. Combining eggs, creamy full-fat cottage cheese, fresh veggies, and flavorful cheeses, this casserole offers a balanced blend of taste and texture. Baked to perfection with a golden cheesy top and loaded with vitamin-rich spinach and sweet red bell peppers, it’s an easy-to-make, wholesome recipe that serves 10-12 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Egg and Dairy Mixture
- 12 large eggs
- 16 ounces full-fat cottage cheese
- ¼ cup shredded gruyere or gouda cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 4 cups chopped spinach
Other
- Cooking spray (for greasing pan)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish evenly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Vegetables: Spread the chopped red bell pepper, diced yellow onion, and chopped spinach evenly as the bottom layer of the prepared baking dish.
- Mix Eggs and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, crack all 12 eggs and whisk thoroughly until yolks are broken and mixture is uniform. Add the full-fat cottage cheese, ¼ cup shredded gruyere or gouda cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients well to combine.
- Assemble Egg Bake: Pour the egg and cottage cheese mixture evenly over the layered vegetables in the baking dish, making sure to distribute the mixture uniformly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the egg mixture for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until the egg bake is fully set and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the egg bake from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the casserole to firm up for easier slicing and serving. Slice into portions and enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Chop the vegetables into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Test doneness by inserting a knife in the center; it should come out mostly clean but can have a slight moistness.
- Allow the casserole to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to make clean cuts and better presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12th of the recipe)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 370mg
