Made By Emily
Breakfast

The Broccoli Cheddar Cottage Cheese Bake I Make Instead of Quiche

Broccoli cheddar bake with cottage cheese and fresh broccoli in a casserole dish

Recipe Summary

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes (including rest)
  • Servings: 6
  • Cuisine: American
  • Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Light Lunch
  • Calories: ~170 per serving

Ingredients

  • Broccoli florets, lightly steamed and chopped: 3 cups (about 270 g)
  • Cottage cheese: 1 cup (225 g)
  • Large eggs: 3
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: 1 cup (100–115 g)
  • Quick oats: 1/2 cup (45 g)
  • Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon (3 g)
  • Fine salt: 1/2 teaspoon (3 g)
  • Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the pan. Line a 9-inch (23 cm) round pan with parchment paper (I like letting it overhang a bit so it’s easy to lift out later).
  3. Steam and chop the broccoli. Lightly steam broccoli until bright green and just tender, about 3–4 minutes. Drain well, then chop into bite-sized pieces. (If it looks wet, blot with a towel—this helps the bake set.)
  4. Mix the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
  5. Fold in the add-ins. Stir in the chopped broccoli, shredded cheddar, and quick oats. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.
  6. Fill the pan. Scrape into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
  7. Bake. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and the center looks set (a knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean; a little moisture is fine, but it shouldn’t be liquid).
  8. Rest before slicing. Let rest for 10 minutes. This is when it finishes setting up so you get neat wedges.

Recipe Notes

  • Drain broccoli well. Extra water is the biggest reason these bakes turn out soft.
  • Don’t skip the rest time. Ten minutes makes a noticeable difference in sliceability.
  • Spread evenly. An even thickness helps the center set before the edges overbake.
  • Use sharp cheddar. It gives you more flavor without needing extra ingredients.
  • If your oven runs hot, tent loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes if the top browns too fast.

Nutrition Estimate

Approximate per serving (1 of 6): 170 calories, 13 g protein, 9 g carbs, 9 g fat.
(Will vary based on cottage cheese and cheddar brand.)