Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: First things first, get your oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish. This little bit of grease is crucial to make sure you can serve up beautiful, clean slices without everything sticking to the bottom.
- Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese and the four large eggs until they are well combined. If you prefer a smoother, more custard-like texture, you can do this step in a blender. Once mixed, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chives, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until everything is uniformly distributed.
- Fold in the Veggies: Now, gently fold in your prepared vegetables—the diced bell peppers, squeezed spinach, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Be sure not to overmix here; you just want to get everything evenly incorporated into the egg mixture.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is just set. A good way to check for doneness is to insert a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
- Rest and Serve: This might be the hardest step! Let the baked eggs rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the casserole to firm up, making it much easier to cut. Garnish with a sprinkle of extra fresh chives if you like, and enjoy your delicious Protein Packed Breakfast.
Notes
For the creamiest texture, blend the cottage cheese and eggs together until smooth. Ensure vegetables are well-drained, especially squeezing all excess water from frozen spinach, to prevent a watery bake. Let the casserole rest for at least 5 minutes after baking for cleaner slices. Full-fat cottage cheese is recommended for richer flavor. Variations include adding cooked meats, using feta and olives for a Mediterranean twist, or incorporating other vegetables like mushrooms or broccoli.
