Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t your average baked ziti! Here’s why it’s a favorite at our house:
- Vegetarian-friendly but easy to add meat if you’d like
- Gooey mozzarella and pockets of melted cheese in every bite
- Creamy cottage cheese filling (you won’t even notice it’s not ricotta!)
- Hearty and satisfying—great for feeding a crowd
- Freezes beautifully for future meals
After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and tasty variations!
Ultimate Baked Ziti
Warm, cheesy, and perfectly comforting, baked ziti is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make for any occasion. This recipes blends creamy cottage cheese, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan, creating layers of flavor in every bite. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or meal-prepping for the week, this baked ziti is sure to become a new favorite.
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Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 399kcal
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 16 ounces ziti or other tube pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1 14.5 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into 1/4 inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 16 ounces cottage cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Cook 16 ounces ziti or other tube pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until barely tender, about 5 minutes. Drain return to pot. Set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2-3 cloves garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes, 1 14.5 oz. can tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and additional teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon sugar and 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add cottage cheese mixture and 1 cup of the tomato sauce to the pasta and mix well. Stir in half of the 8 ounces mozzarella cheese. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread remaining tomato sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the pasta, then cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to cook until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown, 25-30 more minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 761mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!
Recipe Tips
- Cook your ziti just until it’s al dente—it should still have a bit of bite. Since the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, slightly undercooking it prevents it from getting soft and mushy during baking.
- Let the tomato sauce to simmer for at least 10 minutes. If you have a few extra minutes, an even longer simmer will make it richer and more flavorful.
- After baking, let the ziti sit for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up slightly, making it easier to serve and allowing the flavors to blend. It’s hard to wait, but the results are worth it!
Storing, Freezing & Reheating
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Assemble, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
- Reheat: Cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Variations and Fun Twists
- Sausage Ziti: Add cooked mild or spicy Italian sausage for heartier dish
- Spinach Ziti: Stir thawed frozen spinach into the cottage cheese for a hint of greens
- Garden Ziti: Add roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and onions for a colorful, hearty bake
16 comments
Danelle
My family loved this!
Sara
I made this last night and it was so good! My boyfriend, a vegetarian, said it was the “best thing I’ve ever made” for him. I was like, have I been busting my bum making you good food for the last 4 years for nothing? lol.
Small comment… you forget to mention when to put the sugar in the mixture in the directions. I remembered RIGHT before I poured the mixture into the glass pan so I was able to quickly sprinkle some in, but you should include what step to add it for others!
Thanks – I’ll be making this again!
Julie
I tried this tonight and it was a huge hit! I did make a substitution as we don’t like chunky tomatoes in our sauce. Instead of the diced tomatoes, I added 1.5 pounds of browned ground beef to make it a little more hearty. It was so creamy and yummy. Everyone is already asking when we’re going to have it again!