Four-Cheese Baked Penne

Total Time Prep: 30 min. + cooling Bake: 20 min.
Yield 6 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
This cheesy pasta dish is comforting, hearty, delicious and—surprise!—meatless. Filling whole grains, low-fat protein and a touch of heat make this recipe a keeper! Serve with a salad and crusty bread. —Janet Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

Ingredients

  • 4 cups uncooked whole wheat penne pasta
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups 2% cottage cheese
  • 1-1/4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Cook penne according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, rosemary, pepper flakes and pepper. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; cool for 15 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°. Drain penne; add to sauce. Stir in cottage cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella and all of the ricotta. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella.
  4. Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups: 523 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 11g fiber), 32g protein.

This cheesy pasta dish is comforting, hearty, delicious and—surprise!—meatless. Filling whole grains, low-fat protein and a touch of heat make this recipe a keeper! Serve with a salad and crusty bread. —Janet Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Recipe Creator

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