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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/beefy-cottage-cheese-baked-ziti-recipe/