Cottage Cheese Ground Beef Casserole (Print View)
Ground beef, cottage cheese and sweet potato layered and baked with mozzarella for a warm, gluten‑free family dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 medium onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
→ Dairy
06 - 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Boil the diced sweet potatoes in salted water until just tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until softened, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, if using.
06 - In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, arrange half of the parboiled sweet potatoes in an even layer across the bottom.
07 - Spoon the ground beef mixture evenly over the sweet potato layer.
08 - Dollop the cottage cheese over the beef and spread it into an even layer.
09 - Arrange the remaining sweet potatoes on top, then sprinkle evenly with the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
10 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top.
11 - Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Cottage cheese melts into the beef layer in a way that makes you wonder why you never thought of it before.
- Sweet potatoes bring just enough sweetness to balance the savory beef without needing any sugar in the recipe at all.
02 -
- Do not skip draining the diced tomatoes because excess liquid will turn your beautiful layers into soup.
- Undercook the sweet potatoes slightly during boiling since they will finish cooking in the oven.
03 -
- Let the casserole rest the full five minutes because cutting too early means all those gorgeous layers slide apart and you lose the visual payoff.
- A handful of fresh parsley or chives scattered on top right before serving adds color and a freshness that makes people think you fussed way more than you did.