Low Fat Pesto Baked Ziti

Reimagine classic comfort food with a healthy twist in this Low Fat Pesto Baked Ziti! Bursting with fresh basil, creamy low-fat ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, this dish delivers indulgent flavor while staying light. The homemade low-fat pesto, blended with baby spinach, toasted pine nuts, and a hint of lemon, adds a vibrant, aromatic touch, perfectly coating tender ziti pasta. Layered with melty cheeses and baked to golden perfection, this wholesome casserole is easy to prepare and sure to satisfy. Ready in under an hour, it’s an ideal option for weeknight dinners or meal prep—delivering all the cheesy, zesty goodness you love in a healthier, guilt-free package!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 0.5 cup milk (low-fat or skim)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 as needed cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Prepare the low-fat pesto sauce: In a food processor, combine basil leaves, baby spinach (if using), minced garlic, toasted pine nuts, and lemon juice. Pulse until finely chopped.

Step 4

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and milk until the pesto sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, low-fat ricotta cheese, and the prepared pesto sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 6

Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the first layer of pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and spread evenly.

Step 8

Top the dish with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly with golden brown edges.

Step 11

Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1062.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2507.8

Total Fat 99.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 206.7mg	0%
Sodium 2909.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 283.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 26.1g
Protein 136.9g	0%

Vitamin D 50IU	0%
Calcium 2433.6mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 1173.4mg	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: 34.6%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 44.1%