Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready to bake your pasta dish. While that's warming up, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This step is crucial for flavor, so don't skimp!

Add your penne pasta to the boiling water, cooking it according to the package instructions until it's al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and give it a quick rinse under cold water. This helps stop the cooking process and prevents it from becoming mushy later on.

In a mixing bowl—or even back in the pasta pot—combine the marinara sauce, cottage cheese, sour cream, and minced garlic. Stir everything together until it’s well mixed. Don’t forget to add half of your mozzarella cheese and the oregano. This will help create that creamy, cheesy sauce!

Gently fold the drained pasta into your cheese mixture, ensuring each piece is well coated with the sauce. This step is key to getting all that flavor into every bite!

Spread the pasta mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Don’t be shy; get every bit in there! Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top.

Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 15-25 minutes. You want to look for that golden, bubbly top—the sign that everything is cooked through and ready to serve. When the cheese is melted and a little browned, you're in business.

Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool slightly before serving. This dish is best enjoyed hot, straight from the oven. And, of course, leftovers are great, too!