Description
This protein-packed, creamy baked ziti transforms the classic Italian-American comfort dish by utilizing cottage cheese for a luxurious, velvety sauce. By replacing traditional ricotta with nutrient-dense cottage cheese, you achieve a moist, tangy profile that perfectly balances the acidity of the marinara. It is an easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight meal that ensures a golden, bubbly crust and consistent texture in every bite.
Ingredients
16 oz Ziti Pasta
2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
24 oz marinara sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
0.5 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente.
Drain the pasta thoroughly to ensure the sauce does not become diluted.
Combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, cottage cheese, and half of the mozzarella in a large mixing bowl.
Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
Notes
For a completely smooth sauce, process the cottage cheese in a blender before mixing. Freshly grated mozzarella is highly recommended to avoid anti-caking agents for better melting. You can substitute ziti with penne or rigatoni if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg