Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Introduction

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting, hearty pasta dish perfect for family dinners. Layers of tender ziti, rich meat ragu, and a creamy cottage cheese blend combine for a satisfying, cheesy bake that’s easy to make and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 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 cheese
• 3.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (from block)
• 1.25 tsp oregano (for cheese mixture)
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder (for cheese mixture)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Combine basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar in a small bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
2. Step 2: Cook the ziti in the boiling salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain in a colander without rinsing, then 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, about 3–4 minutes.
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 until sauce thickens slightly. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, gently combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano until just mixed. Avoid overmixing to keep texture smooth.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and stir thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Top with remaining cheese mixture and the rest of shredded mozzarella.
7. Step 7: Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden brown and sauce bubbles at the edges. For extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes watching carefully. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use small curd cottage cheese for a creamier texture throughout the dish.
• Shredding mozzarella from a block melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese mixture for a subtle warmth.
• Substitute ground pork with Italian sausage for a spicier ragu.

Storage

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally. You can also freeze portions 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 type of pasta?

Yes, while ziti is traditional, penne, rigatoni, or even shells work well for a baked pasta dish with ample sauce.

Is it necessary to brown the meat first?

Browning the meat adds rich flavor through caramelization, which deepens the overall taste of the sauce, so it is highly recommended for best results.

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 93 reviews

Delicious and comforting Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti featuring a rich meat ragoût layered with creamy cottage cheese and melted mozzarella, baked to golden perfection. This hearty Italian-American classic is easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat Ragoût

• 12 oz ziti (preferably Barilla)
• 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 (smooth consistency, like Mutti)
• 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 cottage cheese (small curd)
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• 3.5 cups shredded mozzarella (from a block)
• 1.25 tsp oregano
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Prepare Mise en Place and Start the Pasta

   Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and freshly mince the garlic cloves to maximize aroma and flavor when cooked. Measure out dried herbs – basil, oregano, thyme – along with chile flakes and sugar into a small bowl for easy addition later. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil in preparation for cooking the pasta.

2. Cook Pasta to Al Dente

   Add the ziti to the boiling salted water and cook according to package directions until firm and al dente, using Barilla for optimal texture. Drain the pasta in a colander without rinsing to keep the surface starch that helps the sauce adhere. Set aside and move on to preparing the meat sauce.

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 while stirring occasionally until onion is translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and pork, breaking apart and cooking for 3-4 minutes until well browned with no pink remaining, developing deep flavors through browning.

4. Simmer the Meat Sauce

   Add tomato passata, tomato puree, and beef stock to the browned meat. Stir in the reserved herb and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium, then simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let flavors meld and thicken the sauce slightly. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare the cheese mixture.

5. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

   In a medium bowl, combine small curd cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir gently just to combine without overmixing to maintain a consistent, creamy texture in the final dish.

6. Assemble the Baked Ziti

   Mix the cooked al dente pasta into the meat sauce thoroughly. Fold in half of the prepared cheese mixture until evenly distributed. Transfer the pasta and sauce into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and sprinkle the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella on top for a luscious cheesy crust.

7. Bake and Serve

   Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to achieve a more golden top, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set for easier slicing and serving.

Notes

• Do not rinse the cooked pasta after draining to preserve surface starch for better sauce adherence.
• Using small curd cottage cheese improves texture throughout the dish.
• Browning the meat well enhances flavor via the Maillard reaction.
• Broiling at the end is optional but recommended for a golden cheesy crust. Watch closely to avoid burning.
• Letting the baked ziti rest after baking helps the sauce thicken and makes serving easier.
• Use block mozzarella and shred yourself for better melting compared to pre-shredded.
• Adjust salt and pepper according to taste preferences.

Keywords: beef baked ziti,cottage cheese baked ziti,Italian baked pasta,meat ragu pasta casserole,comfort food pasta recipe