EASY 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.

Start by browning italian sausage and ground beef together, mixing to prevent clumping.

Drain off the fat from the meat.

Add finely diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet; stir and cook for about 3 minutes.

Pour in red wine (merlot) and stir for about 2 minutes to cook out the alcohol.

Add crushed tomatoes and a little tomato paste for texture; stir well.

Add granulated sugar (to taste), oregano, fennel seed, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper; stir to combine.

Add fresh basil and optional chicken bouillon powder; stir and reduce heat to low.

Simmer the sauce for about 1 hour and 30 minutes until thickened.

Boil ziti pasta, drain it, and add it to the sauce; stir everything together well.

In a casserole dish, spread half of the pasta mixture, then top with full fat ricotta cheese, spreading it around.

Top with a mixture of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta mixture, ricotta, and cheese.

Bake uncovered in the oven at 375°F for 40 minutes.

After baking, sprinkle with fresh basil and let it set for 20 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens