Easy 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.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Get out a 13x9 inch baking dish or casserole dish, ensuring it's fairly low for even cooking.

Add 8 ounces of uncooked dried ziti pasta to the dish.

Add 12 ounces of fully cooked meat, cut into bite-sized pieces.

Add a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes with juice.

Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to the mixture.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine.

Pour 1 cup of heavy cream over the mixture. Alternatively, you can use 1 cup of low sodium chicken stock or 2 cups of chicken stock instead of cream.

Push down any pasta to ensure it's fully submerged in the liquid.

Cover the dish tightly with two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Bake in the oven for about 50 minutes until the pasta is tender.

Remove from the oven and stir the mixture.

Dollop 1 cup of ricotta cheese over the top.

Add another cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the ricotta.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese on top.

Return the dish to the oven uncovered for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the ricotta is heated through.

Remove from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 15 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens