Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti
Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting and delicious twist on the classic Italian dish! Packed with rich layers of ziti pasta, creamy cottage cheese, and gooey mozzarella, this baked ziti is perfect for family dinners or potlucks. The combination of savory marinara sauce and Italian seasoning creates a flavor explosion that will have everyone coming back for seconds. With its easy preparation and customizable ingredients, this dish is both satisfying and memorable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups large curd cottage cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil water in a large pot and cook ziti until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix cottage cheese with half of the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan until combined.
- In another bowl, combine cooked ziti with marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Layer half of the ziti mixture in a greased baking dish, then half of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh basil, slice, and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Use whole-fat cottage cheese for creaminess. Experiment with veggies like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.