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Best Baked Ziti with Cottage Cheese for Cozy Comfort Cooking

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 650
A hearty and comforting baked ziti recipe featuring cottage cheese, perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 box Ziti or penne/rigatoni (Substitute with any tubular pasta if ziti is unavailable.)
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil (Can use canola or vegetable oil if preferred.)
  • 1 lb Mild Italian sausage (Can swap with turkey sausage for a lighter option.)
  • 5 cloves Garlic, minced (Adjust quantity according to preference.)
  • 2 tsp Dried oregano (Fresh herbs can also be used.)
  • 1 tsp Dried basil (Can provide a more vibrant flavor with fresh basil.)
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt (Essential seasoning.)
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper (Essential seasoning.)
  • 28 oz Tomato sauce (Ensure low-sodium if necessary.)
  • 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes (Ensure low-sodium if necessary.)
  • 1 tsp Sugar (Balances acidity; omit if desired.)
  • 0.5 cup Fresh basil, chopped (Can substitute with 1 tbsp dried basil.)
  • 1 cup Heavy cream, cold (Can use half-and-half for a lighter version.)
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch (Can replace with flour if needed.)
  • 2 Large eggs, lightly beaten (Omit for egg-free versions if desired.)
  • 1 lb Cottage cheese (Ricotta cheese can be used as a substitute.)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (Can use a vegan cheese blend for dairy-free option.)
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, chopped into ¼ inch cubes (Shredded mozzarella may be substituted.)

Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  • In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook sausage until browned; add garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
  • Mix tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, sugar, and basil; simmer for 10 minutes.
  • In a bowl, combine heavy cream, cornstarch, eggs, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella.
  • Combine cooked pasta, sausage mixture, and cheese mixture; transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Notes

For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Calories: 650kcal
Cost: $15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keyword: comfort food, pasta