Baked Ziti (MBR)

• 1 pound whole-milk or 1 percent cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)
• Salt
• 1 pound ziti or other short tubular pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 5 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 5 teaspoons)
• 1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

Whisk cottage cheese, eggs, and 1 cup Parmesan together.

Mise en place.

Heat oil and garlic over medium heat until fragrant but not brown.

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and oregano ans simmer until thickened.  Off heat, stir in 1/2 cup of basil and sugar.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

I got over-eager and added the basil from the top.  Oh well.

Stir cornstarch into heavy cream and simmer until thickened over medium heat.

Add cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup of the tomato sauce, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella to cornstarch mixture.  Then combine with ziti.  Transfer to 13 by 9 baking dish.  

Spread remaining tomato sauce evenly over pasta.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake, covered with foil, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Then bake uncovered for 30 minutes longer.  Let cool for 20 minutes then sprinkle with remaining basil.

Like anyone growing up among school organized potlucks and the such, I have memories of lackluster baked zitis.  I imagine people boil pasta, toss with jarred sauce and ricotta, and throw shredded mozzarella on top...  Not exactly a recipe for success and it was never something that wowed me.
However this dish with relatively unusual ingredients such as eggs and cottage cheese was remarkably consistent and satisfying.  It even held up time after time to microwaving.  This might turn into a semi-regular dish for me. (Meaning, I may cook it once or twice a year rather than never)