Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep Oven & Brown Sausage
- First, arrange an oven rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- In a large (at least 12-inch), high-sided, ovenproof skillet, heat your extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into large pieces as it sizzles in the pan. Brown sausage for 3 to 5 minutes until no pink remains.
- Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes (if you’re using them for a little kick) and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until their fragrant warmth fills your kitchen.
Simmer the Sauce
- Next, add the marinara sauce to the skillet and season it with 1 tsp. Kosher salt. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until it has slightly thickened. This process helps build a rich and flavorful base for our Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti.
Prepare the Unique Cottage Cheese Mixtures
- Meanwhile, prepare your two distinct cottage cheese mixtures for ultimate creaminess and texture.
- For the silky, blended portion (intended for folding into the pasta), combine 1 cup (8 oz.) of the full-fat cottage cheese with 1/4 cup milk or cream in a separate bowl or blender and blend until completely smooth and velvety. Transfer this to a medium bowl and stir in half of the garlic powder, half of the Parmesan cheese, and half of the fresh parsley; season with a pinch of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Label this your 'silky cottage cheese mixture'.
- For the textured dolloping portion, in *another* medium bowl, combine the *remaining* 8 oz. of cottage cheese with the *other half* of the garlic powder, Parmesan, and parsley, mashing the curds as you stir; season with salt and black pepper. Label this your 'mashed cottage cheese mixture'.
Cook Pasta & Fold in Cheesy Goodness
- Add the ziti pasta and water to the skillet with the sauce and bring it to a simmer. Cook, ensuring you stir the pasta frequently so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet, until well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Now, fold in half of *the silky cottage cheese mixture* (prepared in step 3) and half of the mozzarella cheese. Make sure to leave some pockets of cheese throughout for visual appeal and those irresistible cheesy pulls!
Layer & Top
- Carefully dollop *the remaining mashed cottage cheese mixture* (prepared in step 3) over the pasta. Then, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top for a decadent crust.
Bake & Serve
- Transfer the skillet (or a 13x9 inch baking dish if you've transferred the mixture) to the preheated oven. Bake until the pasta is tender and bubbling, and the cheese is golden and browned in spots, about 30 to 35 minutes. You're looking for that yummy, comforting aroma!
- Let your Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving; this crucial cooling time allows the sauce to set perfectly. Finally, top with the remaining fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Nutrition
Notes
This One-Pan Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is fantastic for meal prep or feeding a crowd. For best results, use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture and remember the 5-minute cooling time before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for later. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.