This classic baked ziti is amazing and is definitely among one of my favorite baked pasta dishes of all time. It doesn’t get dried out like a lot of baked pasta dishes and is full of flavor. I love that it has cottage cheese in it that gives it a creamy texture. So whip up some comfort food and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound 1% cottage cheese (about 2 cups)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ounces (about 1 cup) freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 pound ziti or other similar pasta (like rigatoni or penne)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 medium garlic cloves, finely minced (about 5 teaspoons)
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup milk (1% or above)
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
Cook the pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water until it begins to soften but isn’t cooked all the way (cook it about three minutes short of the package directions) – it will finish cooking in the oven.
While the pasta is cooking, heat oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil and oregano; simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Take off the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Drain the pasta and leave it in the colander. Return the pot (no need to wash) to the stovetop. Whisk together the cornstarch and milk and pour it into the pot set over medium heat. Bring the milk to a simmer and cook until thickened, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and add the cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup or so of the simmered tomato sauce, and half of the mozzarella cubes. Stir to combine. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat well with the saucy mixture.
Transfer the pasta to the prepared pan and spread the remaining tomato sauce evenly over pasta. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cubes and remaining Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover the baking dish with foil that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue to cook until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes longer. Cool for 10 minutes. Serve.
