How to Make Baked Ziti Without Ricotta - a family favorite!

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.

In a large pan, brown the ground beef and ground pork using a metal potato masher to break the meat up and as it cooks season with granulated garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper, then add in the onions and garlic.

Add the crushed tomatoes, dried herbs and seasonings to the meat sauce along with the balsamic vinegar and the beef bouillon. Mix to combine and let it simmer while you make the rest of the ingredients.

Prepare the rigatoni pasta and prep the bechamel.

In a small saucepan on medium heat add the butter and once melted add in the flour. Cook for a minute or two then reduce the heat and gradually whisk in the warm milk. Whisk as needed as the sauce will thicken. Once thickened add the grated parmesan, granulated garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Combine the rigatoni noodles with the meat sauce.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Assemble the baked ziti in a 9x13 inch casserole dish. First do a layer of rigatoni with meat sauce, then top with the bechamel, mozzarella, and parm. Add another layer of pasta with meat sauce, a layer of bechamel, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Repeat until you have 3-4 layers.

Cover the baked ziti with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Use oven mitts to carefully remove the baked ziti from the oven. Let the baked ziti cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens