Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Introduction

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting pasta dish layered with a rich meat sauce and a creamy cheese mixture. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, it makes an ideal meal for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
• 0.5 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 24 oz tomato passata
• 1.5 tbsp tomato puree
• 2.5 cups beef stock
• 0.75 tsp basil
• 0.75 tsp oregano
• 0.75 tsp thyme
• 0.25 tsp chile flakes
• 2 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 oz cottage cheese (small curd)
• 0.5 cup parmesan
• 3.5 cups mozzarella, shredded
• 1.25 tsp oregano (for cheese mixture)
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves fresh. Measure out the basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Step 2: Add the ziti to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander without rinsing and set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and pork, breaking apart and cooking until browned with no pink remaining.
4. Step 4: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, beef stock, and the herb and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, parmesan, 1 cup of mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir gently until just combined.
6. Step 6: Mix the cooked pasta into the meat sauce, then fold in half of the cheese mixture. Transfer this to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the remaining mozzarella.
7. Step 7: Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for extra browning. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Using small curd cottage cheese ensures a smooth texture in the cheese mixture.
• Shredding mozzarella from a block improves melting compared to pre-shredded versions.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese mixture for a warm, subtle depth.
• Substitute ground pork with Italian sausage for a spicier sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short bursts stirring in between. You can also freeze baked ziti for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta instead of ziti?

Yes, penne or rigatoni work well as they have a similar shape and hold the sauce nicely.

Is it necessary to cook the pasta before baking?

Yes, cooking the pasta al dente beforehand ensures it doesn’t become mushy during baking and allows it to absorb the sauce properly.

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 62 reviews

• Author: Sarah
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x

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Description

Delicious Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti combines tender ziti pasta, a rich meat ragoût made with ground beef and pork, tangy tomato sauces, and a creamy cheese mixture of cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Baked to golden perfection, this comforting Italian-American casserole is perfect for family dinners and meal prepping.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat Ragoût

• 12 oz ziti (preferably Barilla for best al dente texture)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces
• 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
• 0.5 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 24 oz tomato passata (Mutti preferred for smooth consistency)
• 1.5 tbsp tomato puree
• 2.5 cups beef stock
• 0.75 tsp basil
• 0.75 tsp oregano
• 0.75 tsp thyme
• 0.25 tsp chile flakes
• 2 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture

• 12 oz small curd cottage cheese
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
• 3.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded from block
• 1.25 tsp oregano
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Prepare Mise en Place and Start the Pasta: Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves fresh for maximum aroma. Measure out basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar in a small bowl for easy use. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the ziti pasta.
2. Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Add the ziti to the boiling salted water and cook according to package directions until the pasta is firm yet tender. Drain in a colander without rinsing to retain starch, which helps the sauce adhere.
3. Build the Meat Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and ground pork, breaking apart the meat and cooking 3-4 minutes until well browned and no pink remains, developing deep flavors through browning.
4. Simmer the Meat Sauce: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, beef stock, and the herb and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken and meld the flavors. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F and prepare the cheese mixture.
5. Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Gently mix until just combined, ensuring the cottage cheese retains a creamy texture without becoming grainy.
6. Assemble the Baked Ziti: Mix the cooked pasta with the simmered meat sauce, then fold in half of the cheese mixture evenly. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading into an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella, distributing evenly.
7. Bake and Serve: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce bubbles around the edges. For extra browning, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Notes

• Use small curd cottage cheese for better texture consistency.
• Do not rinse pasta after boiling to help sauce adherence.
• For a more golden, bubbly top, broil briefly at the end.
• Leftovers store well and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
• Barilla ziti is recommended for optimum texture but any ziti or tubular pasta works.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: beef baked ziti, cottage cheese baked ziti, Italian baked pasta casserole, baked pasta with meat sauce, cheesy baked ziti