Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Cottage Cheese Bake Recipe

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If you love the rich flavor of French onion soup but want something more substantial, this Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Cottage Cheese Bake is your perfect match. It’s creamy, savory, and sliceable—like a crustless tart made with protein-rich cottage cheese. The secret to its silky texture is draining the cottage cheese well and slowly caramelizing onions until they turn deep amber. The result is a gourmet-style bake that’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner and elegant enough for brunch guests.

Ingredients

• 2 cups small-curd cottage cheese, thoroughly drained
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions for Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Cottage Cheese Bake

1. Caramelize the onions:
   In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally until they turn deep amber and jammy. Set aside to cool.
2. Drain cottage cheese:
   Place cottage cheese in a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Let it drain for at least 20 minutes, pressing gently to remove excess liquid.
3. Preheat oven:
   Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish.
4. Blend the base:
   In a blender, combine drained cottage cheese, eggs, and cornstarch. Blend 45–60 seconds until smooth and frothy.
5. Mix the filling:
   Pour the blended mixture into a bowl. Add thyme, salt, pepper, caramelized onions, and ¾ cup Gruyère. Fold gently.
6. Bake:
   Pour mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup Gruyère on top. Bake 35–40 minutes until edges are set and center has a slight wobble.
7. Cool and set:
   Let it rest 10–15 minutes before slicing to ensure clean wedges.

Pro Tips

• Drain cottage cheese well to avoid a watery bake.
• Cook onions slowly for the best caramel flavor.
• Do not overbake — remove when center still has a tiny jiggle.
• Let it cool to slice neatly without crumbling.

Why This Recipe Works

This bake is a perfect balance of creamy and structured thanks to cornstarch and eggs. The caramelized onions bring sweetness while Gruyère adds a nutty richness. Unlike many cottage cheese bakes that turn soggy, this one stays firm and sliceable, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining.

Substitutions & Variations

Cheese Options:

• Swiss cheese
• Emmental
• Mild cheddar

Add-Ins:

• Sautéed mushrooms
• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Herb Variations:

• Rosemary
• Chives
• Parsley

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Guide

Make-Ahead:
Prepare the bake ahead and store it unbaked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.

Storage:
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating:
Warm in the oven at 325°F (165°C) for 10–12 minutes, or air fryer for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving to prevent dryness.

Serving Ideas for Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Cottage Cheese Bake

• Serve warm with a crisp arugula salad
• Pair with roasted vegetables
• Enjoy as a brunch centerpiece
• Slice and serve with crusty bread

Nutrition (Per Serving Estimate)

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 16g
• Fat: 13g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 420mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my bake watery after baking?

Most likely the cottage cheese wasn’t drained enough. Ensure you remove all excess whey.

How do I know it’s done?

Edges should be set and golden, while the center still slightly jiggles. A knife inserted 1 inch from the center should come out clean.

Can I use another cheese instead of Gruyère?

Yes! Swiss, Emmental, or mild cheddar are good substitutes.

Why is my bake rubbery?

Overbaking or adding too many eggs can make it tough. Remove it while slightly wobbly and let it set.

This Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Cottage Cheese Bake is a delicious blend of comfort and sophistication. With a creamy custard base, sweet caramelized onions, and nutty Gruyère, it’s a satisfying dish that’s easy to make and perfect for any meal. Just remember to drain the cottage cheese and take your time caramelizing the onions — the flavor payoff is worth it.

Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Cottage Cheese Bake

Olivia taling

This caramelized onion and Gruyère cottage cheese bake is creamy, savory, and perfectly sliceable, combining deeply caramelized onions with nutty Gruyère and protein-rich cottage cheese. Inspired by French onion flavors, it’s an elegant yet approachable dish ideal for dinner, brunch, or meal prep.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, French-Inspired

Servings 6 servings

Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

• large skillet
• fine-mesh strainer
• blender
• Mixing bowl
• 9-inch pie dish

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups small-curd cottage cheese, thoroughly drained
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and jammy. Set aside to cool.
• Place the cottage cheese in a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and drain for at least 20 minutes, gently pressing to remove excess liquid.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch pie dish.
• In a blender, combine the drained cottage cheese, eggs, and cornstarch. Blend for 45–60 seconds until smooth and frothy.
• Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl. Fold in thyme, salt, pepper, caramelized onions, and 3/4 cup of the Gruyère cheese.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Gruyère evenly over the top.
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight wobble.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Drain the cottage cheese thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the bake. Caramelize the onions slowly over low heat for the deepest flavor. Let the bake rest before slicing so it sets cleanly and holds its shape.

Keyword caramelized onion cottage cheese bake, crustless onion quiche, gruyere cottage cheese bake, savory cottage cheese recipe

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