Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Introduction

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting pasta dish layered with a rich meat sauce and a creamy cheese mixture. It’s perfect for family dinners, combining hearty flavors with a golden, bubbly cheese topping that’s sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti (preferably Barilla for the 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 and pepper to taste
• 12 oz small curd cottage cheese
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
• 3.5 cups shredded mozzarella (shredded from a block)
• 1.25 tsp oregano (for cheese mixture)
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Measure out the basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl for easy use. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
2. Step 2: Cook the ziti in the boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain but do not rinse, then set aside to keep the starch for better sauce adhesion.
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 cook 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 the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, garlic powder, and 1.25 tsp oregano. Stir gently to combine without overmixing.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and mix thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella.
7. Step 7: Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. For extra color, broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use small curd cottage cheese for a creamier texture without graininess.
• Try substituting ground pork with Italian sausage for a spicier twist.
• Shred mozzarella from a block rather than using pre-shredded for a better melt and texture.
• Add fresh basil leaves to the sauce at the end of simmering for a bright, fresh flavor.

Storage

Store leftover baked ziti covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain the crispy top, or use the microwave for a quicker option, though the texture may soften.

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 alternatives since their tube shapes hold sauce similarly.

Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble it up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking from cold.

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 114 reviews

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting and hearty Italian-American casserole featuring perfectly cooked ziti pasta combined with a rich meat ragoût made from ground beef and pork, simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce infused with herbs and spices. The dish is layered with a creamy cottage cheese mixture blended with Parmesan and mozzarella, topped generously with shredded mozzarella for a golden, bubbly crust. Easy to make and perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this baked ziti offers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors with a cheesy, meaty goodness in every bite.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the pasta and meat ragoût:

• 12 oz ziti (use 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 recommended 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

For the cheese mixture:

• 12 oz cottage cheese (small curd preferred)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (from 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 mince the garlic fresh to develop the best aroma. Mix all dried herbs and spices including basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar in a small bowl for easy addition. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to prepare for cooking the pasta.
2. Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Add the ziti to boiling salted water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain without rinsing to retain starch for better sauce adherence. Set aside and proceed to make the meat sauce.
3. Build the Meat Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and pork, breaking apart as it cooks for another 3-4 minutes until browned and no pink remains, creating a rich flavor base.
4. Simmer the Meat Sauce: To the browned meat, add tomato passata, tomato puree, beef stock, and the prepared herb and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
5. Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, gently combine small curd cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir carefully to avoid overmixing which can cause graininess.
6. Assemble the Baked Ziti: Combine the cooked pasta with the simmered meat sauce thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently until evenly incorporated. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the remaining 2.5 cups mozzarella for a bubbly, golden crust.
7. Bake and Serve: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and sauce bubbles around edges. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for a more golden top, watching carefully. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the sauce for easier serving.

Notes

• Do not rinse the pasta after cooking to preserve starch, which helps the sauce stick better.
• Use small curd cottage cheese for a smoother, more consistent texture.
• Browning the meat properly develops deeper flavors through the Maillard reaction.
• Mix cheese gently to avoid grainy texture in the cottage cheese.
• Allow the baked dish to rest before serving to let it set and improve sliceability.
• Optional broiling at the end enhances the golden crust—watch closely to prevent burning.

Keywords: Baked Ziti, Cottage Cheese, Beef Ragoût, Italian Pasta Bake, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta Casserole, Ground Beef Pasta, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Tomato Sauce