Cottage Cheese Philly Cheesesteak Bake

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Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

  • 1 lb ground beef or thinly sliced steak
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (optional for extra melt)
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Prep the Oven

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Filling

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add onions and peppers; sauté 4–5 minutes.
  • Add mushrooms and garlic if using.
  • Add beef and cook until browned.
  • Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
  • Drain excess grease if needed.

3. Make the Creamy Mixture

  • In a bowl, whisk:
    • cottage cheese
    • eggs
    • half the provolone
    • mozzarella (if using)

4. Assemble

  • Spread beef mixture into baking dish.
  • Pour cottage cheese mixture evenly over top.
  • Sprinkle remaining provolone cheese.

5. Bake

  • Bake 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  • Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approx. Per Serving)

If making 6 servings:

  • Calories: 310–360
  • Protein: 28–33g
  • Carbs: 5–8g
  • Fat: 18–22g
  • Fiber: 1–2g

Main Nutrition Highlights

  • High protein from beef, eggs, cottage cheese
  • Lower carb than traditional cheesesteaks
  • Keto-friendly option
  • Rich in calcium and vitamin B12

Allergen Information

Contains:

  • Dairy (cottage cheese, provolone, mozzarella)
  • Eggs
  • Possible gluten in Worcestershire sauce depending on brand

Gluten-Free Tip:

  • Use certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.

Low-Fat Option:

  • Use lean ground turkey and low-fat cottage cheese.

Keto Option:

  • Keep onions moderate and avoid extra sauces.

Optional Add-Ins

  • Jalapeños for heat
  • Spinach
  • Banana peppers
  • Cream cheese for extra richness
  • Cauliflower rice base
  • Steak seasoning blend

Serving Ideas

Serve with:

  • Side salad
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Cauliflower mash
  • Garlic green beans

Storage & Meal Prep

Refrigerator

  • Store in airtight container up to 4 days.

Freezer

  • Freeze up to 2 months.

Reheating

  • Microwave: 1–2 minutes
  • Oven: 350°F for 10–15 minutes

Q & A

Q: Can I use steak instead of ground beef?

Yes. Thinly sliced ribeye or sirloin works great.

Q: Can I make it ahead?

Yes. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.

Q: Does cottage cheese taste strong?

No. It becomes creamy and mild once baked.

Q: Can I make it without eggs?

Yes, but texture will be softer. You can substitute:

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • or 1 flax egg per egg

Q: What cheese melts best?

Provolone gives classic Philly flavor, but mozzarella and white American also work well.

Q: Is this keto-friendly?

Yes, it is naturally low carb.

Q: Can I add pasta or rice?

Absolutely. Cooked pasta or rice can make it more filling, though carbs increase.

Tips for Best Results

  • Brown meat well for deeper flavor.
  • Drain grease to avoid watery casserole.
  • Let casserole rest before slicing.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting.

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