Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe
A hearty and comforting Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti combining perfectly cooked al dente pasta with a rich meat ragoût and a creamy blend of cottage cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella. This baked Italian-American classic is enriched with herbs and spices, baked to golden bubbly perfection, making it a satisfying and delicious meal for family dinners or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the pasta and meat ragoût:
- 12 oz ziti (Barilla recommended)
- 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)
- 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)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
- 3.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded from a block
- 1.25 tsp oregano
- 0.75 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prep Aromatics and Herbs: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and freshly mince the garlic cloves to maximize aroma and flavor. Measure out basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl for easy use later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package directions until firm and al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and do not rinse to retain surface starch for better sauce adhesion. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Brown Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add diced onion and minced garlic; cook 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and pork, break into pieces, and cook 3-4 minutes until browned and no pink remains, developing deep flavors.
- Simmer Meat Sauce: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, beef stock, and the herb-spice mixture prepared earlier. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir gently until just mixed to avoid grainy texture.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce and Cheese: Add cooked ziti to the simmered meat sauce and stir thoroughly to combine. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently until distributed evenly.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and then evenly distribute the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella for a bubbly, golden topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce bubbles at the edges. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for extra golden top—watch closely to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set the sauce before serving for easier portioning and a better eating experience.
Notes
- Use small curd cottage cheese to improve texture and consistency of the cheese mixture.
- Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep surface starch for better sauce adherence.
- Browning the meat well is crucial for flavor development through the Maillard reaction.
- Finely mincing garlic and onions enhances aroma and infuses more flavor into the sauce.
- Letting the baked ziti rest before serving helps the sauce thicken and makes it easier to portion.
- Broil briefly at the end for a crispier, more golden cheese topping but watch carefully to avoid burning.
Keywords: baked ziti, beef baked ziti, cottage cheese pasta bake, Italian baked pasta, cheesy baked pasta, comfort food, ground beef pasta bake
