Low Fat Classic Cheesy Pasta Bake
Indulge in comfort food without the guilt with this Low Fat Classic Cheesy Pasta Bake! Made with hearty whole wheat penne and a creamy trio of low-fat ricotta, reduced-fat mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, this recipe delivers all the cheesy goodness you crave in a lighter, healthier version. A fragrant tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and a blend of dried herbs is elevated with the addition of nutrient-rich baby spinach for a well-rounded, wholesome dish. Ready in just 50 minutes, this easy-to-make pasta bake is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping, offering all the flavor of the classic version with a fraction of the fat. Satisfy your cravings the smart way with this crowd-pleasing, oven-baked pasta recipe!
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Ingredients
- 300 grams Whole wheat penne pasta
- 150 grams Low-fat ricotta cheese
- 100 grams Reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 30 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 500 grams Tomato sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 100 grams Baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2
Cook the whole wheat penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Step 4
Add the tomato sauce to the skillet, stirring in the dried oregano and basil. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 5
Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes before adding the baby spinach. Stir the spinach into the sauce until wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
Step 6
Remove the sauce from heat, and gently mix in the low-fat ricotta cheese, ensuring it's evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Step 7
Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce in the skillet or a large mixing bowl, making sure the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
Step 8
Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the reduced-fat mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
Step 10
Allow the pasta bake to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your low-fat cheesy pasta bake!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1315.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2017.3 |
| Total Fat 64.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 27.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g | |
| Cholesterol 140.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3161.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 255.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 30.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 29.5g | |
| Protein 99.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1754.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 15.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1726.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories