How to make baked ziti

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.

Prepare the tomato passata by infusing garlic in extra virgin olive oil until brown, then remove garlic and add passata.

Clean the pot with a little water to get all the tomato out.

Add salt and fresh basil to the passata and cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes.

Dice the mozzarella cheese.

Cook ziti pasta until al dente, removing it from boiling water 4-5 minutes early.

Mix ricotta cheese in a large mixing bowl to make it creamy.

Combine cooked pasta, ricotta, a little Parmesan, and chili flakes in the mixing bowl.

Slowly add the tomato sauce to the pasta mixture and mix well to combine.

Spread the pasta mixture into a large tray, adding more sauce on top.

Top with more Parmesan cheese and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 20-30 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens