Ultimate Baked Ziti

4.84 from 6 votes

Pasta is baked in a creamy marinara sauce with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese in this ultimate version of a classic Italian dish.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: servings

Calories: 399kcal

Author: Danelle

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 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.