Dean cooks baked chicken & veggie ziti

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: ground turkey

Ground turkey is often less expensive and cooks quickly.

ziti pasta

🥗Healthier: whole wheat ziti

💰Cheaper: elbow macaroni

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber, while elbow macaroni is usually cheaper.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free alternative with a cheesy flavor.

Cut up 1 pound of chicken breast and 1 pound of chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, 1.5 cups of diced zucchini, shredded carrots, sliced black olives, ricotta cheese, and both mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Add marinara sauce to the mixture and combine well.

Grease a 9 by 13 baking dish with cooking spray.

Transfer the mixture into the greased baking dish.

Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

After 25 minutes, sprinkle fresh spinach into the dish and allow it to wilt as it finishes cooking.

Once done, garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens