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Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 62 reviews

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring al dente ziti pasta baked in a rich, savory meat ragoût of ground beef and pork simmered with aromatic herbs and tomato passata. A luscious mixture of cottage cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella is folded through the saucy pasta before being topped with extra mozzarella and baked until golden and bubbly, creating a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Meat Ragoût:

  • 12 oz ziti (preferably 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 (such as 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 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 for better melt)
  • 1.25 tsp dried 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 cloves fresh to maximize aroma and flavor when cooked. Measure out dried basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, and sugar into a small bowl for easy addition later. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Add the 12 oz of ziti to the boiling salted water. Cook according to package directions until firm and al dente, typically around 9 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander but do not rinse it, preserving the starch on the surface which helps the sauce cling. Set the pasta aside for later assembly.
  3. Build the Meat Sauce Base: Heat 2 tablespoons of 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 the onion is translucent and fragrant. Add the ground beef and ground pork, breaking up the meat and cooking for another 3-4 minutes until browned evenly and no pink remains, developing deeper flavors through browning.
  4. Simmer the Meat Sauce: Stir in 24 oz tomato passata, 1.5 tbsp tomato puree, and 2.5 cups beef stock to the browned meat mixture. Add the pre-measured herb and spice blend (basil, oregano, thyme, chile flakes, sugar), then season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors and slightly thicken the sauce. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare the cheese mixture.
  5. Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine 12 oz small curd cottage cheese, 0.5 cup parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 0.75 tsp garlic powder, and 1.25 tsp dried oregano. Stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent the cottage cheese from becoming grainy.
  6. Assemble the Baked Ziti: Mix the cooked pasta with the simmered meat sauce thoroughly. Fold in half of the prepared cheese mixture gently until evenly distributed throughout the pasta. Transfer this combined mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading into an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and sprinkle the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
  7. Bake and Serve: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce bubbles around the edges. For an extra golden crust, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Notes

  • Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep the starch that helps the sauce stick better.
  • Using small curd cottage cheese provides a smoother, more consistent texture in the cheese mixture.
  • Shredding mozzarella from a block improves the melting quality compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • Letting the baked ziti rest before serving allows the sauce to thicken and makes it easier to portion.
  • Adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, chile flakes) according to your taste preference.
  • For a crisper top, use the broiler for the last couple of minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.

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

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