There are some dishes that come from making do, and somehow turn into the ones folks remember most fondly. This oven baked 3-ingredient cottage cheese potato casserole is one of those humble, comforting suppers, the sort of thing a grandmother could stretch from a few pantry and refrigerator staples and still set on the table piping hot and satisfying. The potatoes bake up tender, the cottage cheese turns soft and creamy in little pockets throughout, and the top gets those browned bits that make everybody reach for a second helping.
This casserole is hearty enough to stand beside all sorts of simple meals. I like to serve it with baked ham, pan-fried sausage, meatloaf, or a roast chicken, but it also fits nicely next to green beans, buttered peas, stewed tomatoes, or a crisp lettuce salad to balance the richness. If you are serving it for a thrifty lunch or supper, a bowl of applesauce or some sliced cucumbers on the side makes it feel just right.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Potato Casserole
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups cottage cheese
4 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly butter a medium glass baking dish.
2. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the baking dish, spoon half of the cottage cheese over them, and drizzle with half of the melted butter.
3. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, cottage cheese, and butter, spreading everything as evenly as you can.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.
5. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving so the layers can settle and the creamy texture can come together.
Variations & Tips
Add a little seasoning: If you have more than three ingredients to work with, a good pinch of salt and black pepper between the layers will wake everything up nicely. A little onion powder is also mighty good here.
Use russet potatoes: Russets tend to bake up soft and fluffy, which gives this casserole that old-fashioned, comforting texture. Yukon Golds will work too, but they stay a bit firmer.
Slice thin for even baking: The thinner and more even your potato slices, the better this dish cooks. If the potatoes are too thick, the casserole may brown before the centers turn tender.
Make it heartier: When times are better and you want to dress it up, a layer of browned onion, diced ham, or shredded cheddar can be added between the potatoes for a fuller supper.
Rest before serving: Don’t skip the resting time. That short wait helps the creamy cottage cheese settle into the potatoes so each spoonful holds together better on the plate.