I turned Pioneer Woman's MOST Popular Recipe KETO

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.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add diced onion from about 1/4 of a medium onion and 3 cloves of minced garlic; sauté until softened.

Add 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of ground sausage; cook until browned and drain off some fat.

Stir in 1 can of diced tomatoes with juices and 1 jar of low carb marinara sauce.

Add 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of anise seed, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning; bring to a simmer.

Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for around 20 to 25 minutes.

Reserve 2 1/2 cups of the meaty sauce and set aside to cool.

Boil keto ziti pasta for around 2 minutes until al dente, then drain and run under cool water; set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of cottage cheese, 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 eggs.

Add the reserved sauce to the cheese mixture, then pour in the cooked noodles and stir until combined.

Spread half of the pasta mixture into a large casserole dish.

Pour about half of the remaining meaty sauce on top of the pasta layer.

Spread the remaining pasta mixture on top of the sauce layer, followed by the remaining meaty sauce.

Top with 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 375°F for around 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens