Grandma’s Sweet Baked Pasta Eggs Casserole with Macaroni and Cottage Cheese

Grandma’s Sweet Baked Macaroni Casserole with Eggs and Cottage Cheese is one of those old-fashioned recipes that feels simple, familiar, and comforting.

It’s made with cooked macaroni, eggs, cottage cheese, a little sweetness, and a soft baked texture that works well for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

I like this recipe because it uses basic ingredients and has that homemade, passed-down feel you don’t get from newer desserts. The cottage cheese keeps the casserole soft and creamy, while the eggs help it set as it bakes.

Serve it warm or chilled, depending on how your family likes it. A little cinnamon, vanilla, raisins, or powdered sugar can also be added for extra flavor.

If you like old-fashioned, cottage cheese-based dishes like this one, these are worth trying too:

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• Blueberry Chia Pudding with Cottage Cheese
• Oven Baked Denver Omelette Casserole
• 13 Best High Protein Greek Yogurt Parfait Cups

Ingredients You’ll Need

Full-fat cottage cheese bakes up creamier than low-fat versions, which matters in an old-fashioned dish like this one. Slightly undercooking the macaroni keeps it from turning too soft once it bakes a second time in the custard.

Important Recipe Notes

• Use full-fat cottage cheese. It bakes up creamier and richer than low-fat versions, which makes a real difference in an old-fashioned dish like this.
• Don’t worry about the lumpy batter. Cottage cheese curds don’t fully smooth out, and that’s part of the traditional texture of this dish.
• Let it cool before slicing. The casserole firms up as it cools, which gives you much cleaner squares than cutting into it hot.

• Undercook the macaroni slightly. Since it bakes again in the custard, starting it just shy of al dente keeps it from turning too soft by the time it’s done.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual squares in the microwave, or the whole dish in the oven at 325°F.
• This freezes reasonably well, though the texture softens slightly after thawing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

How to Serve, Store & Customize This Recipe

Serving:

Serve warm or at room temperature, on its own for breakfast or as a lighter dessert. This is a good one for a potluck or brunch table since it travels well.

Storage:

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual squares in the microwave, or the whole dish in the oven at 325°F.

Customization:

Add a handful of raisins to the batter for extra sweetness, or top with fresh berries when serving. A drizzle of honey over each slice makes it feel a bit more like dessert.