Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Introduction

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic with a rich meat sauce and creamy cheese blend. This dish combines tender pasta, savory ragoût, and a luscious mix of cottage, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. It’s perfect for family dinners or meal prepping for the week.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti
• 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
• 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 mozzarella, shredded
• 1.25 tsp oregano
• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Combine dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme), chile flakes, and sugar in a small bowl for easy use later. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Step 2: Cook the ziti in boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain in a colander without rinsing to help the sauce adhere. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add ground beef and pork. Cook for 3-4 minutes, breaking the meat apart, until browned and no pink remains.
5. Step 5: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, beef stock, and the herb-spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir gently until just combined.
7. Step 7: Mix cooked pasta into the meat sauce. Fold half the cheese mixture into the pasta evenly. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread into an even layer.
8. Step 8: Top with the remaining cheese mixture and then the remaining 2.5 cups of mozzarella spread evenly.
9. Step 9: Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for a more golden top, watching carefully to avoid burning.
10. Step 10: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Tips & Variations

• Use small curd cottage cheese for a creamier texture throughout the dish.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce before simmering.
• Substitute ground pork with Italian sausage for a spicier ragoût.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace the meat with sautéed mushrooms and lentils.
• Shredding your own mozzarella from a block ensures better melting and texture.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm, or microwave individual portions. This dish also freezes well 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 other types of pasta instead of ziti?

Yes, penne, rigatoni, or any tube-shaped pasta will work well to hold the sauce and cheese mixture.

Is it necessary to use both ground beef and pork?

Using both adds depth and richness, but you can use just one type if preferred or to suit your taste.

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 65 reviews

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a hearty, comforting Italian-American casserole featuring al dente ziti pasta enveloped in a rich meat ragoût and a creamy cheese mixture of cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. With layers of flavorful browned ground beef and pork simmered in a tomato-herb sauce, combined with tender pasta and baked to bubbly golden perfection, this dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 (preferably Mutti 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

Cheese Mixture

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

Instructions

1. Prepare aromatics and herbs: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves freshly to maximize aroma and flavor. Mix dried herbs—basil, oregano, thyme—chile flakes, and sugar in a small bowl for easy addition later.
2. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook according to package directions until firm and al dente. Drain without rinsing to preserve surface starch for sauce adherence. Set aside.
3. Brown the meat and onions: 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, breaking apart meat as it cooks for 3-4 minutes until browned and no pink remains. This step develops deeper flavor via Maillard reaction.
4. Simmer the meat sauce: Add tomato passata, tomato puree, and beef stock to skillet. Stir in prepared herb-spice mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing sauce to thicken and flavors to meld. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
5. 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 grainy texture.
6. Assemble pasta and sauce: Add cooked pasta to the meat sauce and stir thoroughly. Fold in half of the cheese mixture gently until evenly distributed.
7. Layer and bake: Transfer pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with remaining cheese mixture and distribute remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
8. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and sauce bubbles at the edges. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a more golden top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
9. Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes to allow sauce to set, making serving easier and cleaner.

Notes

• Use small curd cottage cheese for a better, creamier texture.
• Do not rinse cooked pasta after draining; the residual starch helps the sauce cling better.
• Browning the meat properly is key for rich flavor development.
• Broiling at the end is optional but will give a nicely browned top.
• Letting the baked dish rest before serving helps it set for easier slicing.

Keywords: baked ziti, beef baked ziti, cottage cheese pasta bake, Italian casserole, comfort food, pasta bake, meat ragu