Baked Ziti Recipe

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.

Mince a few cloves of garlic.

Chop half of an onion finely.

Cook ziti pasta following package directions.

In a skillet, add spicy italian sausage and ground beef together.

Season the meat mixture and add minced garlic and diced onions.

Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the sausage and ground beef are fully browned.

In a separate bowl, mix cottage cheese, freshly chopped cilantro, 1 egg, italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese until well blended.

Add marinara sauce to the cooked meat mixture and mix well.

Add a little sugar to the meat sauce to cut down acidity from the tomatoes and mix until combined.

Taste the sauce to ensure it has enough seasoning and then turn off the stove.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Drain the cooked pasta and add the cottage cheese and parmesan cheese mixture, mixing well.

In a casserole dish, add a layer of meat sauce at the bottom.

Add half of the pasta mixture, then half of the meat sauce on top, spreading it evenly.

Add a layer of mozzarella cheese and a layer of parmesan cheese on top of that.

Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until slightly golden brown on top and bubbly.

Sprinkle the top with freshly chopped parsley for garnish before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens