Mom’s Easy Baked Ziti

Sometimes the best dinners happen when you open the refrigerator and realize you already have everything you need.

That’s exactly how this easy baked ziti with cottage cheese came about.

One afternoon, as I was peering into the fridge wondering what to make for dinner, baked ziti popped into my head. It was a favorite growing up, but I hadn’t made it in years.

And there, staring back at me, was everything I needed: leftover cooked pasta, cottage cheese and a package of ground turkey.

It seemed like the perfect opportunity to revisit an old family favorite.

This lighter baked ziti is simple, satisfying and wonderfully flexible. Made with pasta, marinara sauce, lean ground turkey or beef, and a creamy cottage cheese mixture, it’s an easy comfort-food dinner that doesn’t require a lot of fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients. Pasta, sauce, lean ground meat and cottage cheese are the stars.
• Lighter than traditional baked ziti. Nonfat cottage cheese provides creaminess without needing lots of ricotta or mozzarella.
• Easy to customize. Use ground beef, turkey, sausage or make it meatless.
• Great for leftovers. It reheats beautifully for lunch or dinner the next day.
• Family-friendly comfort food. All the familiar flavors of baked pasta without a complicated recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this easy baked ziti:

• Ziti or another short pasta: Penne, rigatoni or another sturdy pasta shape works just as well.
• Extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey: Either works beautifully. I used ground turkey because that’s what I had on hand.
• Onions: Add flavor and a little sweetness to the meat sauce.
• Spaghetti sauce: Use your favorite jarred or homemade marinara sauce.
• Nonfat cottage cheese: My lighter alternative to ricotta. For a smoother, creamier texture, puree it in a blender (affiliate link) before using.
• Parmesan cheese: Adds a little savory, cheesy flavor.
• Egg: Helps bind the cottage cheese mixture together.
• Fresh parsley: Adds a touch of freshness.
• Garlic powder: An easy way to add garlic flavor without extra prep.

How to Make Mom’s Easy Baked Ziti

This recipe comes together in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Cook the ziti according to the package directions, preferably just until al dente, since it will continue cooking in the oven.

Drain and set aside.

If you’re using leftover cooked pasta, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

Coat a large skillet (affiliate link) with nonstick cooking spray.

Add the ground turkey or beef and chopped onions. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat as it browns, until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are tender, about 10 minutes.

Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Stir in the spaghetti sauce.

Step 3: Mix the Cottage Cheese Filling

In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, parsley and garlic powder.

Mix until well blended.

For a smoother, more ricotta-like texture, blend the cottage cheese before mixing it with the other ingredients.

Add the cooked pasta and stir gently to coat.

Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti

Spread about one-third of the meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Spoon the pasta and cottage cheese mixture over the sauce.

Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top, spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle with a little additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Step 5: Bake

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until the casserole is heated through and bubbling.

Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Why Cottage Cheese Works So Well in Baked Ziti

I’ve always liked using cottage cheese in baked pasta dishes.

It’s creamy, mild and a convenient substitute for ricotta, especially when you’re trying to make a lighter casserole.

Nonfat cottage cheese also adds protein without a lot of additional fat.

If you don’t love the texture of cottage cheese, try blending it until smooth before adding the egg, Parmesan and seasonings.

You’ll get a creamier filling that works beautifully in baked ziti, lasagna and other pasta casseroles.

I almost always have a container of cottage cheese in the refrigerator. It’s one of my favorite ingredients for simple, lighter cooking.

If you’re wondering how long that opened container will stay fresh, here’s my guide to how long cottage cheese lasts in the refrigerator after opening.

And if you prefer ricotta, you can certainly use that instead.

Easy Baked Ziti Variations

There are dozens of ways to make baked ziti, from simple to elaborate. Some recipes are layered like lasagna, while others mix everything together.

This is the version I made with what happened to be in my kitchen that afternoon, but it’s easy to change things up.

• Change the meat. Use lean ground beef, ground turkey, Italian sausage or sliced cooked meatballs.
• Make it vegetarian. Leave out the meat and add extra vegetables to the sauce.
• Add more vegetables. Cooked mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers or spinach would all be delicious.
• Change the cheese. Substitute ricotta for the cottage cheese, or add a little mozzarella or provolone for a cheesier casserole.
• Use what you have. Penne, rigatoni or another short pasta can easily stand in for ziti.

That’s one of the things I love most about recipes like this. They’re forgiving, flexible and easy to adapt to whatever is on hand.

What to Serve with Baked Ziti

Since baked ziti is a hearty meal on its own, I like keeping the sides simple.

A green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a good choice.

Steamed broccoli, roasted zucchini, green beans or sautéed spinach would also be delicious.

And if you’re feeding a crowd, a little garlic bread is always welcome.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

According to my calculations, each serving has about 364 calories and 6 WW Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
9 PointsPlus (Old plan)

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave (affiliate link) or warm them in a covered baking dish in the oven until heated through.

If the pasta seems a little dry, add a spoonful of marinara sauce before reheating.

You can also freeze baked ziti in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

If you’ve made this Easy Oven-Baked Ziti Recipe please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

More Easy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy simple, comforting pasta dinners like this one, here are a few more recipes to try:

• Mom’s Baked Gnocchi Bolognese Skillet – Another easy family-style pasta dinner.
• Baked Pasta with Zucchini and Cottage Cheese – A delicious way to combine pasta, vegetables and creamy cottage cheese.
• Artichoke Spinach Baked Pasta – A lighter baked pasta with spinach and artichokes.
• Weight Watchers Tomato Chicken Feta Pasta – An easy pasta dish with chicken, tomatoes and feta.
• Sausage Pasta with Vegetables – A simple one-dish dinner with plenty of flavor.
• Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta Fagioli – A comforting soup with chicken, pasta and beans.