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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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