Description
A comforting and flavorful Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti recipe combining perfectly cooked ziti pasta with a rich, herb-infused meat ragoût and a luscious blend of cottage cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella. This baked pasta dish features layers of cheesy goodness and a bubbly golden top, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the pasta and meat ragoût:
- 12 oz ziti (preferably Barilla for the best al dente texture)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (finely diced into 1/4-inch pieces)
- 3 garlic cloves (freshly minced for best aroma)
- 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 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
- 3.5 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded from a block for better melt)
- 1.25 tsp dried oregano
- 0.75 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Mise en Place and Start the Pasta: Dice the onion finely into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves freshly to maximize aroma and flavor. Measure the dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme), chile flakes, and sugar into a bowl for easy addition later. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the pasta.
- Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Add the ziti to the boiling salted water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander but do not rinse it to retain starch for better sauce adherence. Set aside.
- Build the Meat Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and ground pork, cooking until browned and no pink remains to develop deep flavors.
- Simmer the Meat Sauce: Stir in the tomato passata, tomato puree, and beef stock to the browned meat. Add the herb and spice mixture, then season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix to avoid graininess.
- Assemble the Baked Ziti: Combine the cooked pasta with the simmered meat sauce, mixing thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with remaining cheese mixture and the remaining 2.5 cups mozzarella, distributing evenly.
- Bake and Serve: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly. For a more golden finish, optionally broil for 1-2 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use small curd cottage cheese for a creamier texture throughout the dish.
- Do not rinse pasta after cooking to allow sauce to cling better.
- Broiling at the end is optional but gives a beautifully golden top.
- Let the dish rest after baking to allow the sauce to set for easier serving.
- Barilla brand ziti recommended for ideal al dente texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: baked ziti, beef ragu, cottage cheese pasta bake, Italian comfort food, cheesy baked pasta, ground beef casserole
