Description
This Healthy Baked Ziti recipe is a nutritious twist on a classic Italian comfort dish, featuring whole grain pasta combined with a flavorful mixture of ricotta, parmesan, and spices, layered with a rich tomato sauce and topped with melted low-fat mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked to bubbly perfection, it offers a wholesome and satisfying meal that’s both hearty and health-conscious.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb dry ziti or penne pasta (whole grain or organic)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 15-ounce container of part-skim ricotta cheese (drain excess liquid)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (can also use grated romano cheese)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
Sauce and Topping
- 3 – 4 cups spaghetti sauce (homemade or high-quality jarred sauce)
- 2 cups shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the ziti.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a 5-6 quart pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry ziti or penne pasta and cook for 5 minutes, aiming for an al dente texture to prevent mushiness in the final dish.
- Drain and Rinse: Drain the pasta from the boiling water and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Transfer the pasta to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prepare for layering.
- Mix Cheese and Seasonings: In a medium bowl, combine drained ricotta cheese, the large egg, grated parmesan (or romano) cheese, granulated garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper if using. Stir thoroughly to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce and Cheese Mixture: Pour 3 cups of the spaghetti sauce into the baking dish with the pasta, then add the cheese and seasoning mixture. Mix well to evenly coat all the pasta. Add more sauce if necessary to ensure the pasta is fully covered.
- Add Mozzarella Topping: Sprinkle the shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the sauced pasta mixture to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. This allows flavors to meld and the cheese to melt gently.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted, bubbly, and golden around the edges, indicating the baked ziti is heated through and ready to serve.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overcook the pasta in the boiling water; it should remain firm since it will cook further in the oven.
- Draining excess liquid from ricotta prevents the baked dish from becoming watery.
- Use part-skim cheeses to reduce fat content while maintaining creaminess and flavor.
- Add crushed red pepper for a subtle kick or omit for a milder dish.
- If you prefer a cheesier top, you can sprinkle extra mozzarella or parmesan before baking uncovered.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Healthy baked ziti, whole grain pasta recipe, low-fat Italian casserole, baked pasta dish, ricotta cheese ziti
