Easy Baked Ziti - Pasta Casserole

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and provides a similar texture.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while provolone can be more affordable.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

Cook 16 oz of ziti according to package directions.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet.

Add 1 pound of mild Italian sausage to the skillet, cook and crumble, and drain the fat as needed.

In a separate bowl, mix 15 oz of ricotta cheese with 1 egg and 0.5 teaspoon of oregano until combined; set aside.

Once the sausage is cooked, add 28 oz of crushed tomatoes and 14.5 oz of petite diced tomatoes to the skillet.

Season the mixture with 1 teaspoon of basil, 0.5 teaspoon of onion powder, 0.25 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper; mix well and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Layer half of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.

Add half of the cooked ziti on top of the sauce.

Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the ziti.

Add the remaining cooked ziti on top of the ricotta cheese.

Pour the other half of the tomato sauce over the top of the ziti.

Top with 3.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens