Heart-Healthy Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Indulge in comfort food without compromising your health with this Heart-Healthy Baked Ziti with Meatballs. This wholesome twist on a classic Italian favorite features whole-grain ziti and lean ground turkey meatballs enriched with rolled oats for added nutrition and texture. Simmered in low-sodium marinara sauce and topped with gooey part-skim mozzarella, this dish offers rich, satisfying flavors while keeping things light. With dried Italian herbs, garlic, and fresh basil adding aromatic depth, it’s a heart-smart dinner option perfect for the whole family. Ready in under an hour and baked to golden perfection, this recipe is ideal for weeknight meals or a crowd-pleasing potluck centerpiece.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole-grain ziti pasta
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 0.25 cup rolled oats
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups low-sodium marinara sauce
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2
Cook the whole-grain ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground turkey, rolled oats, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.
Step 4
Shape the turkey mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, yielding roughly 20-24 meatballs.
Step 5
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the turkey meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 6
Pour 2 cups of the low-sodium marinara sauce into the skillet with the meatballs and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 7
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, combine the cooked ziti pasta and meatballs with their sauce. Add remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce and mix gently to distribute evenly.
Step 8
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Step 9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 10
Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, and garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1769.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2852.9 |
| Total Fat 93.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 27.6g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g | |
| Cholesterol 570.0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1224.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 341.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 52.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 50.8g | |
| Protein 182.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 41IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1239.0mg | 0% |
| Iron 28.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 4627.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories