Baked Ziti Casserole Recipe

Name: Baked Ziti Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained (I use extra lean); 1 (20 ounce) can hunts four cheese pasta sauce; 1 (8 ounce) can hunts tomato paste; nonstick cooking spray; 1 (12 ounce) package ziti pasta (I use Barilla brand); 16 ounces small curd cottage cheese (full fat variety not fat free or skim); 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (not the kind in the green tube but the kind in the cheese section that you grate or comes grated in ); 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 medium green pepper, chopped; 1 small onion, chopped; 10 white button mushrooms, sliced; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 (15 ounce) can black olives; 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Servings: persons

1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained (I use extra lean)
1 (20 ounce) can hunts four cheese pasta sauce
1 (8 ounce) can hunts tomato paste
nonstick cooking spray
1 (12 ounce) package ziti pasta (I use Barilla brand)
16 ounces small curd cottage cheese (full fat variety not fat free or skim)
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (not the kind in the green tube but the kind in the cheese section that you grate or comes grated in )
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
10 white button mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 (15 ounce) can black olives
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1
Preheat oven to 350.
2
Cook and drain ground beef.
3
Saute green pepper, onion, and mushrooms and add to ground beef.
4
Add onion powder and garlic powder, oregano and 3 tablespoons of the tomato paste. Stir and set aside while you cook pasta.(al dente).
5
Drain cooked pasta and set aside.
6
Stir together the cottage cheese, sour cream.
7
Slice the black olives and add to the cottage cheese mixture.
8
Mix the spaghetti sauce and remaining tomato paste with the ziti.
9
Spray 9x13 pan with non stick spray.
10
Place half the noodles in the pan.
11
Top with meat mixture and a layer of parmesan cheese.
12
Top with the cottage cheese and sour cream mixture.
13
Top with a layer of the Mozarella cheese.
14
Top with the other half of the noodles and a final layer of parmesan cheese (the inside layers of cheese can be thin, just enough to add a cheesy layer).
15
Bake uncovered 30 minute or until hot and bubbly and cheeses are melted.

1250

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained (I use extra lean), 1 (20 ounce) can hunts four cheese pasta sauce, 1 (8 ounce) can hunts tomato paste, nonstick cooking spray, and more.

Yes, Baked Ziti Casserole falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Baked Ziti Casserole

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions