Dinner

Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe

Name: Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 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); 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 small curd cottage cheese; 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 3.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded from a block; 1.25 tsp oregano; 0.75 tsp garlic powder

ByGabriel Langdon February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

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Introduction

This Beefy Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting, hearty pasta dish perfect for family dinners. It combines a rich meat ragoût with creamy cottage cheese and melty mozzarella for a deliciously satisfying bake.

The dish shows a close-up of baked pasta arranged in three visible layers on a white plate. The bottom layer consists of light golden baked rigatoni pasta mixed with a rich textured red meat sauce. The middle layer is a thick spread of creamy white cheese, and the top layer has melted golden cheese with browned bubbly spots and a slight sprinkle of herbs. The meal appears juicy and cheesy with a slightly crispy top. The image background is a white marbled texture with a blurred glass of dark red liquid in the distance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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 (smooth consistency preferred)
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 from a block)
1.25 tsp oregano
0.75 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves. Combine 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.
Step 2: Cook the ziti in the boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain in a colander without rinsing to keep the starch for sauce adhesion. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
Step 4: Add ground beef and pork to the skillet. Break apart and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
Step 5: Stir in tomato passata, tomato puree, and beef stock. Add the herb and spice mixture from Step 1 and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, garlic powder, and 1.25 tsp oregano. Stir gently to combine without overmixing.
Step 7: Mix the cooked ziti into the simmering meat sauce. Fold in half of the cheese mixture evenly throughout the pasta.
Step 8: Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining cheese mixture and the remaining 2.5 cups shredded mozzarella.
Step 9: Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and sauce bubbles around the edges. Optional: broil for 1-2 minutes for a more golden top, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Step 10: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Tips & Variations

Using small curd cottage cheese improves texture and consistency in the cheese mixture.
Shredding mozzarella from a block melts better than pre-shredded options.
Add chopped fresh basil or spinach into the meat sauce for extra freshness.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.

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, about 15-20 minutes, or microwave portions covered to retain moisture.