Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Introduction

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Combining a rich meat ragoût with a creamy cheese mixture and perfectly cooked pasta, it bakes up golden and bubbly every time. It’s a satisfying meal that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced (1/4-inch pieces)
• 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 (from a block)
• 1.25 tsp oregano
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves. Measure out basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl for easy addition later.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander without rinsing and set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic; cook 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add ground beef and ground pork to the skillet, breaking them apart as they cook. Brown the meat fully, about 3-4 minutes, until no pink remains.
5. Step 5: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, beef stock, and the herb and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir gently until just combined.
7. Step 7: Mix the cooked pasta into the meat sauce thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently until evenly distributed.
8. Step 8: Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the rest of the shredded mozzarella.
9. Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and sauce bubbles around the edges. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for a more golden crust, watching carefully.
10. Step 10: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Tips & Variations

• Use small curd cottage cheese for a smoother, more consistent texture in the cheese mixture.
• Substitute ground pork with Italian sausage for additional flavor.
• For a vegetarian option, replace meats with sautéed mushrooms and zucchini.
• Shred mozzarella from a block for better melting, rather than pre-shredded cheese.

Storage

Store leftovers 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 intervals, stirring occasionally. This dish can also be frozen 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, penne or rigatoni work well as substitutes, but make sure to cook them al dente and maintain the same quantity.

Is it necessary to include both ground beef and pork?

Using both adds depth of flavor, but you can use all beef or all pork if preferred. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring al dente ziti pasta enveloped in a rich, flavorful meat ragu made from a blend of ground beef and pork slow-simmered in tomato sauce and herbs. It’s layered with a creamy cottage cheese mixture and melted mozzarella for an indulgent, cheesy finish. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, this hearty baked pasta brings together savory meatiness, aromatic herbs, and luscious cheeses baked to golden perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat Ragoût

• 12 oz ziti pasta (Barilla recommended for best al dente texture)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced (1/4-inch pieces)
• 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
• 0.5 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 24 oz tomato passata (preferably Mutti for smooth consistency)
• 1.5 tbsp tomato puree
• 2.5 cups beef stock
• 0.75 tsp dried basil
• 0.75 tsp dried oregano
• 0.75 tsp dried thyme
• 0.25 tsp red chile flakes
• 2 tsp sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Cheese Mixture

• 12 oz small curd cottage cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (shredded from a block)
• 1.25 tsp dried oregano
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Prepare aromatics and herbs: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves freshly to maximize flavor. Measure all dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme), chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl for easy addition later.
2. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain in a colander but do not rinse to preserve surface starch that helps the sauce cling. Set aside.
3. Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking 3-4 minutes while stirring occasionally until translucent and fragrant, creating a sweet aromatic base.
4. Brown meat: Add ground beef and ground pork to the skillet. Break up the meat and cook 3-4 minutes until browned completely with no pink remaining. This step develops rich browned flavors via the Maillard reaction.
5. Simmer sauce: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, and beef stock. Add the pre-measured herb and spice mix from step 1. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
6. Prepare cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, oregano, and garlic powder. Stir gently until just combined to maintain a smooth texture without graininess.
7. Combine pasta and sauce: Stir cooked pasta thoroughly into the simmered meat sauce until well combined. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently to distribute evenly.
8. Assemble dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading into an even layer. Top evenly with remaining cheese mixture and the rest (2.5 cups) of shredded mozzarella for a cheesy topping.
9. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled ziti for 30-35 minutes until top is golden brown and bubbling around edges. For an extra golden crust, optionally broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to prevent burning.
10. Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce set and makes serving easier and neater.

Notes

• Do not rinse pasta after boiling to keep starch on surface for sauce adherence.
• Using small curd cottage cheese improves the texture of the cheese layer.
• Shred mozzarella from a block for better melt and texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Broiling at the end enhances the top’s golden color but watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase bake time slightly if starting from cold.
• Use fresh minced garlic for best aroma instead of pre-minced garlic.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: baked ziti, beef baked pasta, cottage cheese pasta bake, Italian dinner, comfort food, cheesy baked pasta, pasta casserole