Cottage cheese casserole is a delicate, airy cottage cheese pie with raisins (optional). To ensure a fluffy dessert, beat the batter thoroughly until it doubles in volume. Cottage cheese casserole can be baked in the oven, electric oven, microwave, or slow cooker. The temperature and cooking time vary depending on the appliance.

In this article, we'll look at the procedure and specifics of baking cottage cheese in an oven, the appropriate temperature, and the required time.

Oven cooking

Cottage cheese casserole is quite easy to make. The key is to strictly follow the recipe's proportions, combine the ingredients in the correct order, bake in a preheated oven at the optimal baking temperature, and let it bake for the specified amount of time until done.

Next, we'll take a detailed look at the steps and nuances of preparing a classic cottage cheese casserole in the oven.

Ingredients required:

  • 400 g cottage cheese;
  • 3 tbsp. granulated or powdered sugar;
  • 2 tbsp each of sour cream and semolina;
  • 2 eggs;
  • vanillin (to taste).

I also recommend preparing some butter or vegetable oil to grease the pan.

Step by step process:

  1. First, strain the cottage cheese through a sieve to make it smooth. You can also use an immersion blender for this. If the cottage cheese is soft, you can mash it with a fork.
  2. Then, beat the eggs and sugar in a separate bowl with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. You can use a whisk, but it will take longer.
  3. After this, combine both mixtures, add sour cream, semolina, and vanilla (optional), and mix thoroughly (preferably with a mixer). The result should be a smooth, lump-free mixture.
  4. Next, grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish with butter and lightly sprinkle them with breadcrumbs or semolina to prevent the casserole from sticking.

Then transfer the curd mixture into this container and place it in a well-heated oven at 200 degrees.

How to make a cottage cheese casserole in the oven - photo

Temperature

The cottage cheese casserole should be baked in the oven at 180-190 degrees Celsius. The exact cooking temperature, as well as the cooking time, depends on the type of kitchen equipment used. It's essential to place the casserole in a well-heated oven. This is important, as baking the dessert in a cold or warm oven will result in uneven baking.

I highly recommend not opening the door during the cooking process to prevent the casserole from sinking.

If you want to get a delicious golden brown crust, I recommend increasing the temperature to 200–210° 7–10 minutes before the end of cooking.

Time

The baking time for the casserole depends on the diameter of the pan and the volume of dough. If the casserole is about 4 cm high, I recommend baking it in the oven for 40-45 minutes. Keep in mind that the mixture will rise slightly.

If the dessert is taller, it will take longer.

I recommend checking the readiness of the product using a wooden skewer that does not have any raw dough on it.

How to bake in a slow cooker

Necessary components:

  • 600 g cottage cheese;
  • 3 tbsp semolina (no heap);
  • 3 eggs;
  • 6 tbsp. granulated or powdered sugar;
  • a small pinch of salt;
  • raisins, vanillin (to taste).

Step by step process:

  1. First, you need to rub the cottage cheese through a sieve and beat the eggs with sugar in a separate bowl.
  2. Then combine both mixtures, add semolina, salt, and vanilla, and mix thoroughly until smooth. It's best to use a mixer or immersion blender to ensure the mixture is fluffy.
  3. Then transfer the curd dough into a greased multicooker bowl, add the washed raisins, which can be pre-soaked in clean water for a few minutes to soften, and gently mix with a spatula.
  4. Next, set the “Bake” mode, the timer to 1 hour and close the lid of the appliance.

I highly recommend not opening the slow cooker during baking, otherwise the casserole may collapse. If the mixture is well-whipped, it will double in volume.

How to make cottage cheese casserole in a slow cooker - photo

Time

Cooking a cottage cheese casserole in a Redmond multicooker will take 50-60 minutes. The exact time depends on the volume of dough, the type of kitchen equipment, its power, and the depth of the bowl.

Some models have a timer built into the automated programs, meaning you don't need to set it separately; simply tap a specific mode. Some multicookers don't have this option, so you need to set the time manually.

Mode

To make cottage cheese casserole in a slow cooker, set it to the "Bake" setting. If you want a golden brown crust on top, you can place the finished dessert in the oven on the top rack for a few minutes without removing it from the bowl.

Also, at the end of the “Bake” program, you can set the “Grill” or top heating mode and keep the dessert for another 5 minutes.

How to bake a cottage cheese casserole in the microwave

To bake a curd dessert in the microwave, you need to make the dough more liquid than for baking in the oven.

Necessary components:

  • 40 g semolina;
  • 500 g cottage cheese;
  • 100 g granulated or powdered sugar;
  • a pinch of salt;
  • 4 eggs;
  • 10 g baking powder;
  • 2 g vanillin.

Step by step process:

  1. First, strain the cottage cheese through a sieve, using a spatula or spoon. You can also use an immersion blender to make the product more smooth.
  2. After this, separate the yolks from the whites and add them to the mixture. Place the whites in another clean, completely dry bowl and beat until thick, fluffy foam forms.
  3. Then add granulated or powdered sugar, semolina, salt, and vanilla to the curd mixture and mix thoroughly with a mixer or whisk. Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved, otherwise the crystals may burn when heated.
  4. Next, carefully combine both mixtures, adding baking powder.
  5. After this, spread the curd dough evenly over the prepared container, which can be greased with butter. It should be glass (heat-resistant) or silicone, preferably round. If you use a square or rectangular container, the dough may dry out at the edges and remain slightly raw in the center.

Microwave the dough at 800W for 10-11 minutes, covered with a lid or plastic wrap, and make several small holes with a knife or toothpick. If your microwave uses a lower power setting, increase the cooking time, checking for doneness with a wooden skewer.

How to bake a cottage cheese casserole in the microwave - photo

Baking mode in an electric oven

The recipe for making cottage cheese dough for baking in an electric oven is similar to the baking method for a gas oven. Place the prepared dough into a pre-greased pan and place it in the electric oven on the second rack (from the bottom).

It's important to preheat the appliance thoroughly to 190–200°C. It's recommended to set the top and bottom heat to 180°C.

This dessert takes about 40-50 minutes to cook, depending on the thickness of the dough. Check the casserole's doneness with a wooden skewer, but only after the specified time has passed, not before. Do not open the oven door during cooking to ensure even baking and prevent the casserole from falling.

Storing cottage cheese casserole in the refrigerator and without

At room temperature, cottage cheese casserole can be stored for no more than 2-4 hours. In summer, it's best not to leave this dish out of the refrigerator. To extend the shelf life of the product to 24 hours, refrigerate it.

Cover the casserole with a lid or plastic wrap. You can also freeze the dessert, sealing it tightly beforehand. The cottage cheese casserole can be stored in the freezer for about six months.

Cottage cheese casserole is a simple and delicious dessert made with minimal ingredients. To add a unique flavor to the finished dish, you can add a little orange or lemon zest or ground cinnamon.

To bake a product properly, you must strictly follow the cooking technique and consider the optimal temperature and baking time for each type of kitchen equipment.