Low Fat Baked Ziti

Dive into the comforting, guilt-free decadence of Low Fat Baked Ziti—a lighter twist on the classic Italian-American favorite! Packed with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat ziti and low-fat cheeses, this dish blends hearty flavor with health-conscious substitutions for a satisfying meal that's lower in fat yet rich in taste. A savory tomato sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of red pepper flakes coats the al dente pasta, while layers of creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella create that irresistible baked pasta texture. Finished with a sprinkle of reduced-fat Parmesan and a garnish of fresh basil, this dish bakes to bubbly perfection in just under an hour. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep, this healthier baked ziti is proof that comfort food can still be nutritious and delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Whole wheat ziti
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups Part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Reduced-fat Parmesan cheese, grated
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes, canned
• 8 ounces Tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the whole wheat ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes to develop flavors.

Step 5

In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese.

Step 6

Add half of the tomato sauce to the pasta mixture and mix well to combine.

Step 7

Spread half of the remaining tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 9

Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the pasta and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.

Step 13

Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1985.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2924.0

Total Fat 111.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 303.3mg	0%
Sodium 5787.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 325.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.4g	0%
Total Sugars 51.3g
Protein 179.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3648.6mg	0%
Iron 26.4mg	0%
Potassium 3307.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.2%

Protein: 23.7%

Carbs: 43.0%