Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my family’s latest obsession – this ridiculously easy White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake! Picture all the cozy, cheesy goodness of your favorite white pizza, but without the fuss of dough rolling or waiting for crust to rise. It’s become our go-to “I need comfort food NOW” solution on busy weeknights.
Last Tuesday was one of those chaotic evenings where my kids had soccer practice, my husband worked late, and I completely forgot to meal prep. In a panic, I threw together this garlicky, herby bake with whatever cheeses I had in the fridge – cottage cheese for creaminess, mozzarella for that perfect stretch, and ricotta dollops that bake into little pockets of heaven. The whole house smelled like an Italian restaurant within minutes!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake
Trust me, this isn’t just another pizza recipe – it’s a game-changer for busy home cooks like us. Here’s why it’s become my family’s favorite:
- Creamy dreamy texture – The cottage cheese base bakes up luxuriously smooth while those ricotta dollops create little pockets of joy
- No dough drama – Skip the rolling pin and yeast! This bake gives you all the pizza flavors without the carb coma
- Ready in a flash – From fridge to table in 40 minutes flat (perfect for those “what’s for dinner?!” emergencies)
- Kid-approved magic – Even my picky eater gobbles it up while calling it “grown-up mac and cheese”
- Garlic-herb heaven – That oregano-garlic powder combo smells so good, your neighbors might knock on the door
Seriously, if you love cheesy comfort food but hate complicated recipes, this bake was made for you. It’s the cozy dinner hug we all need sometimes!
Ingredients for White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake
Grab these simple ingredients – I bet you have most already! The magic is in how they come together:
- 2 cups cottage cheese – Small curd works best for smoother texture
- 3 large eggs – Room temperature blends easier
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella – The pre-shredded kind works fine here
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan – The real stuff, not the powdery kind!
- 1 tsp dried oregano – Rub between your fingers to wake up the flavor
- 1 tsp garlic powder – Or use 2 fresh minced cloves for stronger punch
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese – Important: drain it well in a fine mesh strainer
- Fresh basil – For that pretty finishing touch
Quick swaps: No garlic powder? Fresh works great (just sauté it first). Out of oregano? Try Italian seasoning. Want extra richness? Swap half the cottage cheese for cream cheese. This recipe is wonderfully forgiving!
How to Make White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake
Okay, let’s dive in! This recipe is so simple, you’ll be shocked at how fancy the results look. Here’s exactly how I make it (with all my little tricks!):
- Prep your oven first – Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8×8 baking dish really well – I use butter for extra flavor, but cooking spray works too.
- Whisk it good – In a large bowl, beat those eggs lightly, then add cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, and garlic powder. Really go to town mixing – you want everything fully incorporated with no big cheese clumps.
- Spread the love – Pour your cheesy mixture into the prepared dish and smooth it out evenly. No need to be perfect here – rustic is charming!
- Dollop time – Take teaspoonfuls of your drained ricotta and drop them randomly over the top. Space them out so every bite gets some creamy surprise.
- Bake to golden perfection – 30 minutes is usually perfect, but start checking at 25. You want golden edges and the center just set (a tiny jiggle is okay – it’ll firm up). If you like extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
- Finish with fresh basil – Let it cool for 5 minutes (so hard to wait!), then scatter torn basil leaves over the top for that gorgeous color and fresh aroma.
Tips for Success
Here are my hard-earned tricks for bake perfection:
- Drain that ricotta well – I line a strainer with paper towels and let it sit for 10 minutes. Excess water = soggy bake!
- Let it rest – Resist cutting immediately! Those 5 minutes make slicing cleaner.
- Garlic control – Love bold flavor? Add extra garlic powder or fresh minced to taste.
- Check early – Ovens vary – peek at 25 minutes to prevent over-baking.
Serving Suggestions for White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake
This bake is crazy versatile! My family loves it with a simple crisp Caesar salad – the cool crunch balances all that cozy cheesiness perfectly. For carb lovers, garlic breadsticks make it feel like a pizza night. When I’m feeling fancy, I’ll roast some zucchini and cherry tomatoes alongside. And wine? A chilled Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness beautifully. Cheers to easy dinners!
Print
45-Minute White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake
A creamy, cheesy twist on classic pizza without the dough. Perfect for cozy dinners or fun lunches with family.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (drained)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Whisk together cottage cheese, eggs, mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, and garlic powder.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Pour mixture into the dish and spread evenly.
- Drop teaspoon-sized dollops of ricotta over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers? No problem! This bake keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days – just cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. To reheat, I prefer the oven (10 mins at 350°F) for that just-baked texture, but the microwave works in a pinch (30 second bursts, stirring between). Skip the freezer though – the cottage cheese gets watery when thawed, and nobody wants a soggy pizza bake!
White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake Variations
Oh, here’s where the real fun begins! This recipe is like your favorite little black dress – perfect as-is but so easy to dress up. My kids beg for pepperoni bits mixed in (just stir them into the batter before baking). For fancy nights, I’ll layer in thin prosciutto slices or scatter sun-dried tomatoes over the ricotta dollops. Need greens? A handful of baby spinach wilts right into the cheesy base beautifully. Gluten-free? Skip the optional breadcrumb topping or use gluten-free panko. Honestly, once you master the basic bake, the flavor combos are endless – make it your own!
Frequently Asked Questions
I get so many questions about this bake – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Absolutely! Fresh oregano or basil adds wonderful brightness. Just use triple the amount (1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried) since dried herbs pack more punch. I love mixing fresh basil right into the batter for extra flavor. If you want more ideas on using cottage cheese in creative ways, check out my blueberry cottage cheese mug cake recipe!
How can I make the top crispier?
Two tricks: First, sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top before baking. Second, finish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes – watch closely though! That golden crust makes all the difference.
Can I prep this ahead?
You bet! Mix everything except the ricotta dollops up to 24 hours ahead. Store covered in the fridge, then add ricotta and bake when ready. The flavors actually deepen overnight! If you enjoy easy baked meals, you might also like my recipe for fajita chicken cottage cheese bake.
Is cottage cheese really necessary?
It gives that signature creamy texture, but in a pinch, you can use all ricotta (just drain it extra well). The bake will be denser but still delicious.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (based on my exact ingredients – yours may vary slightly):
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18g (10g saturated)
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 10g
- Sodium: 680mg
Note: Nutrition values change based on cheese brands and exact measurements – this is just a general guide. For lower sodium, try reduced-fat cheeses! For another great savory bake using cottage cheese, see my broccoli and cauliflower cottage cheese bake.
Now I want to hear – will you be making this White Pizza Garlic and Herb Bake tonight? Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below with your cheesy creations! You can also follow along for more quick recipes on my Facebook page.
