Best 3 Healthier Baked Ziti Recipes
Baked ziti is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is typically made with a combination of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat, which can make it high in calories, fat, and sodium. However, it is possible to make healthier baked ziti by using whole wheat pasta, low-fat cheese, and lean protein. You can also add vegetables to the dish to increase its nutritional value. With a little creativity, you can easily create a healthier baked ziti that is just as delicious as the traditional version.
Let's cook with our recipes!
HEALTHIER BAKED ZITI
This easy and comforting dish is made healthier with turkey sausage, lots of great veggies, and less cheese than traditional baked ziti.
Provided by Melissa Moreland
Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ziti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and transfer pasta to a bowl and toss with spinach and sour cream.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir sausage, onion, carrots, and garlic until onion is translucent and sausage is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and broccoli to sausage mixture and simmer until sauce mixture is heated through, about 15 minutes.
- Layer 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 1/2 of the fresh mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the sauce mixture, the remaining ziti mixture, and fresh mozzarella cheese, respectively, into the baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the dish. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheeses have melted, about 20 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and cook until top is lightly browned, about 10 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.4 calories, Carbohydrate 61 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1088.1 mg, Sugar 16.3 g
HEALTHY BAKED ZITI
This healthy baked ziti recipe is the ultimate classic Italian comfort food! Pasta baked with a delicious red sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella melted on top. But don't worry, this lightened-up version does not skimp on the bold Italian flavors that you look forward to with a cheesy baked ziti. It can be assembled ahead of time for an easy dinner or to feed a crowd at your next party.
Provided by Organize Yourself Skinny
Categories casserole pasta recipe
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Bring a 5-6 quart pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes. The pasta should still have a bite to it after it cooks. This helps keep the pasta from getting mushy.
- Drain the pasta and rinse. Place the pasta into a 9 x13 baking dish.
- Mix ricotta cheese, egg, romano or parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in the crushed red pepper if you're using it.
- Mix the ricotta cheese mixture and spaghetti sauce in with the pasta. Start with 3-cups of sauce and add more if you need to. The pasta should be covered with sauce and cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle mozzarella over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Cover with foil and bake for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and the baked ziti is bubbling on the sides.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 382 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 15 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Sugar 5 g
HEALTHIER BAKED ZITI I
I love pasta but it is not always the healthiest thing to have for dinner. To make this one a little less guilty, I use turkey and add a carrot to the sauce. So tasty!
Provided by MakeItHealthy
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Turkey Ground Turkey Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and ground turkey until onion is translucent and turkey is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and carrot; simmer until heated through, about 15 minutes. Layer ingredients into prepared baking dish as follows: half the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, half the sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven until cheeses are melted, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 524.8 calories, Carbohydrate 58 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 5.6 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 914.4 mg, Sugar 15.2 g
Tips:
- Use whole wheat pasta: Whole wheat pasta is a healthier alternative to regular pasta, as it is higher in fiber and nutrients.
- Roast your vegetables: Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and flavor. It is also a healthier way to cook vegetables, as it uses less oil than other methods.
- Use a low-fat cheese: Low-fat cheese is a healthier alternative to regular cheese, as it is lower in calories and saturated fat.
- Add some protein: Adding some protein to your baked ziti, such as lean ground beef or chicken, will make it a more complete meal.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Overcooked pasta is mushy and less flavorful. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until it is al dente.
Conclusion:
Baked ziti is a delicious and versatile dish that can be easily customized to your liking. By following these tips, you can make a healthier version of this classic Italian dish that is still just as delicious.
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