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Baked Ziti Casserole

Makes: A 9x13 pan
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Print Recipe

Ingredients  

  • 16 oz penne rigate (or ziti noodles)
  • 1 lb ground beef (or 1/2 lb Italian sausage & 1/2 lb ground beef)
  • ¼ medium onion (diced - or onion powder)
  • seasonings to taste (salt, pepper, garlic salt, cumin, Italian seasoning, taco, or chili seasoning)
  • 16 oz cottage cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
  • 52 oz spaghetti sauce (plus a little extra if you're making this in advance)

Instructions: 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook them until they are a little less than "al dente". When cooked, drain and cool.
  • While the noodles are cooking, brown the meat and onion over medium heat in a skillet. When cooked, drain the excess grease and cool.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg, 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning, and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
  • Combine the spaghetti sauce with the cooled meat and set aside 1/3 of the sauce mixture. *If the casserole will be sitting in the fridge for a couple days, add a little extra sauce so it doesn't dry out.
  • Combine the rest of the sauce mixture with the cheese mixture and the noodles.
  • Grease a 9x13 pan and pour the noodle mixture into the pan. Spread the rest of the sauce over the noodles then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top. *Try to cover all of the noodles with sauce and cheese so they won't dry out.
  • Cover and bake immediately or refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
  • If baking immediately, bake at 375°, covered for 15 minutes then uncovered for another 10-15 minutes.

Notes:

Make Ahead: This is a great dish to make ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze.
Refrigerating: This dish can be assembled and refrigerated, covered tightly, for up to 2 days in advance. To bake, place the pan in a cold oven, then heat to 375°. Keep covered for 25 minutes then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes.
Freezing: This dish can be assembled and frozen, covered tightly in foil*, for up to 2 months. Bake it straight from the freezer. Place it in a cold oven, then heat to 375°. Keep covered for 1 hour then uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.
*Before covering with foil, spray the foil with cooking spray so the noodles don't stick to the cover when you remove it.