Description
A delightful twist on the classic Italian-American baked ziti, featuring cheesy goodness and a satisfying meat sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef (or Italian sausage), cooking until browned, then drain excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the cooked ziti pasta with cottage cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the meat sauce and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg