Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe
This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a hearty and comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta baked with a rich meat ragoût of ground beef and pork simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. Creamy cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese add luscious layers, while herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme enhance the savory depth. Perfectly baked to achieve a golden, bubbly top, this dish is ideal for family dinners or meal prepping with satisfying textures and bold flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the pasta and meat ragoût:
- 12 oz ziti (Barilla recommended 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 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, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For the cheese mixture:
- 12 oz cottage cheese (small curd)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
- 3.5 cups mozzarella, shredded from a block
- 1.25 tsp oregano
- 0.75 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare onion, garlic, and herbs: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and freshly mince the garlic cloves to ensure the best aroma and flavor development. Measure out dried herbs – basil, oregano, thyme – chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl for easy use later.
- Cook pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander but 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 the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and pork, breaking them up and cooking for 3-4 minutes until browned with no pink remaining to develop deeper flavors.
- Simmer meat sauce: Add tomato passata, tomato puree, and beef stock to the skillet with browned meat. Stir in the prepared herb and spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the sauce to thicken and flavors to 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 combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent graininess.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add cooked pasta to the simmered meat sauce and mix thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture carefully to distribute evenly.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer the pasta-cheese mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella, distributing evenly. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and sauce bubbles at the edges.
- Optional broiling and resting: For a more golden top, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
- Use small curd cottage cheese for better texture and consistent creaminess.
- Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep starch, which helps sauce adhere better.
- Freshly minced garlic and finely diced onion enhance flavor and aroma.
- Shredding mozzarella from a block provides better melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Broiling briefly after baking can create a more golden and bubbly cheese topping but requires close attention.
- Allowing the dish to rest after baking helps the sauce set, making it easier to serve.
Keywords: baked ziti, beef ragu, cottage cheese pasta bake, Italian casserole, comfort food, easy dinner
