How to Make Baked Spaghetti With Ricotta And Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese Meatball Marinara

This recipe for baked ricotta cheese is incredibly easy and delicious.

Recipe Summary Cottage Cheese Meatball Marinara

The quest to make a healthier meatball has been a challenge. Often using leaner ground meats leads to tough and dry meatballs. Cottage cheese is the 'secret' ingredient that keeps these better-for-you meatballs moist and delicious. Share the fun and host a weekend meatball party. Invite your friends over to make big batches of these tasty, oven-baked meatballs to fill everyone's freezer with a quick weeknight meal solution.

Ingredients | Baked Spaghetti With Ricotta And Cottage Cheese

1 cup Nordica 2% Cottage Cheese

½ cup plain dry breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Ivanhoe Parmesan Cheese, or as needed

3 cloves garlic, minced and divided

2 eggs, lightly beaten

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1 mild Italian pork sausage, casing removed

3 cups passata or pureed, strained tomatoes

½ cup grated onion

Pinch hot pepper flakes

½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Stir the cottage cheese with the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, 1 clove garlic, eggs and half each of the salt and pepper until well combined. Crumble in the ground beef and sausage meat; gently mix until well combined.

Shape the mixture into 24 equal-sized meatballs; arrange, in a single layer, in a 9 x 13-inch (3 L) baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned and set.

Meanwhile, stir the passata with the grated onion, hot pepper flakes, remaining garlic, salt and pepper. Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the meatballs and cook for 30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is slightly thickened; gently stir in basil. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve meatballs over hot cooked pasta or rice.

To shorten the prep time, make 12 large meatballs instead the small ones.

Spoon the meatballs into long buns and top with shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese for a meatball submarine sandwich.

Recipe doubles or triples easily to serve a crowd.

Increase hot pepper flakes to taste for a spicier sauce.

Make ahead: After baking the meatballs for 15 minutes, cool slightly and transfer to an air-tight container along with the uncooked sauce. Reserve in the refrigerator for 1 day or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly and thickened.

Info | Baked Spaghetti With Ricotta And Cottage Cheese

prep: 25 mins cook: 45 mins total: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 6 Yield: 6 servings

TAG : Cottage Cheese Meatball Marinara

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