Baked Cottage Cheese Eggs Amazing Protein-Packed Breakfast Recipe
This baked cottage cheese eggs recipe is a delicious, protein-packed breakfast that’s creamy, flavorful, and quick to prepare. Combining smooth cottage cheese with eggs and Parmesan, enhanced by fresh chives and smoky paprika, it offers a nutritious start to your day. Perfect for busy mornings, it bakes in just 17 minutes and can be customized with vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrients and color.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese (4% fat recommended for creaminess, can use low-fat or lactose-free)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1/4 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Use a convection oven if available to reduce cooking time by approximately 2 minutes and ensure even browning.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. For single servings, use ramekins, which will reduce baking time by 3-4 minutes.
- Blend the Cottage Cheese: In a food processor or blender, pulse the cottage cheese for about 30 seconds until smooth and creamy to eliminate lumps and create a silky base. Skip or pulse minimal times for some texture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until just combined. Fold in the smoothed cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, chopped chives, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Incorporate optional add-ins gently. Avoid overmixing to maintain ideal texture.
- Transfer and Bake: Pour the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. For an attractive finish, sprinkle extra paprika and some chives on top before baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 15 to 17 minutes until the edges are set but the center retains a slight jiggle. The internal temperature should reach 160°F to ensure food safety. Avoid baking beyond 170°F to prevent rubbery eggs.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked eggs rest for 2-3 minutes after baking. This resting time helps the proteins set for perfect slicing and a satisfying texture before serving.
Notes
- Using 4% fat cottage cheese yields a creamier texture, but low-fat or lactose-free options work well too.
- Smoked paprika adds a deeper, smoky flavor, though regular paprika is a fine substitute.
- Optional vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes make this dish more colorful and nutrient-dense.
- Ramekins allow easy portion control and reduce baking time.
- Do not overbake to avoid rubbery texture; aim for a slight jiggle in the center.
- Resting the dish after baking is key to perfect firmness and sliceability.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
Keywords: baked eggs, cottage cheese breakfast, protein-packed breakfast, easy baked eggs, healthy breakfast recipe, low fat, high protein, creamy eggs