Can cottage cheese replace ricotta in baked ziti?

Definitely. It’s an excellent alternative, offering fewer calories, lower saturated fat, and higher protein content. Although ricotta provides a creamier texture, cottage cheese becomes nicely smooth when baked and integrates well into sauces.

Will cottage cheese melt in pasta?

Yes! Cottage cheese melts surprisingly well when baked in pasta. It softens and mixes with the other ingredients, giving your cottage cheese baked ziti a rich and creamy texture without needing heavy cream or full-fat cheese.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store any leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, place in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual portions. You can also freeze it in individual slices for up to 3 months. Be sure to label your freezer container with the recipe name and date.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Definitely. Just swap the cooked protein (like ground beef or turkey) for a plant-based meat alternative or sautéed mushrooms. The cottage cheese and mozzarella will still give you a satisfying texture and high-protein profile.

Which is healthier, ricotta or cottage cheese?

Both have benefits, but cottage cheese is generally considered healthier due to its higher protein and lower fat content. It’s also a great choice if you’re watching calories or following a low-fat, high-protein meal plan.

Can cottage cheese go in the oven?

Yes! Cottage cheese is completely safe to bake. In this cottage cheese baked ziti recipe , it transforms into a creamy filling once heated. Just be sure it’s mixed well with your other ingredients to avoid curdling.

Should baked ziti be covered when baking?

For best results, cover your baked ziti with foil during the first part of baking to retain moisture. Uncover it in the last 10–15 minutes so the top gets golden and slightly crispy from the melted mozzarella and parmesan .

How to prevent cottage cheese from curdling in pasta sauce?

To prevent curdling, mix the cottage cheese with an egg and seasonings before combining it with hot pasta or sauce. This stabilizes the texture. Also, avoid adding cold cottage cheese directly into boiling sauce—temper it first by stirring with a small amount of the warm mixture.

High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti: Easy One Pan Dinner Recipe

Description

This High Protein Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti is a one-pan comfort food dinner with over 25g protein per serving. A healthy twist on traditional baked ziti, it’s made with lean protein, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces pasta (dry weight)

2 ½ cups pasta sauce (low sodium/sugar preferred)

1 ½ cups cottage cheese (full-fat, low-fat, or fat-free)

10 ounces cooked protein (ground turkey, beef, chicken, or vegetarian)

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 large whole egg

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

2 tsp minced garlic

Black pepper (to taste)

3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a skillet, cook your protein with Italian seasoning, garlic, and black pepper.

4. In a large bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg, and parmesan until creamy.

5. Add cooked pasta, cooked protein, and pasta sauce into the bowl. Mix until combined.

6. Layer half of the mixture in the baking dish. Top with half the mozzarella.

7. Add remaining mixture and top with rest of mozzarella and parmesan.

8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

9. Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use gluten-free or chickpea pasta to lower carbs.

Vegetarian? Replace meat with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms.

Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

To reheat, microwave or bake at 350°F until warm.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 390
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 90mg