Baked Ziti | Freezer Meals

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.

Turn on the frying pan to medium heat.

Boil water for the noodles and add 3 cups of ziti pasta with a little salt.

Chop a small amount of onion and add it to the frying pan with the ground beef.

Add 1.5 teaspoons of garlic to the pan.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and add 1 teaspoon of oregano.

Cook the ground beef and onion mixture until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.

Drain the cooked ground beef mixture.

In a bowl, mix about 1/2 cup of sour cream with a 24-ounce jar of spaghetti sauce.

Add the drained ground beef mixture to the sauce and sour cream, and mix well.

Once the ziti pasta is cooked, add it to the sauce mixture and combine thoroughly.

Pour the mixture into two small pans or one 9x13 inch pan, spreading it evenly.

Top with about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, spreading it evenly on top.

Wrap the pans with tin foil and plastic wrap for freezing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens