Description
Creamy, comforting Baked Ziti promises a delightful Italian-inspired meal that brings families together around the dinner table. Packed with wholesome ingredients and easy preparation, this hearty dish delivers nutrition and flavor you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground turkey or chicken
- 12 ounces (340 grams) whole wheat ziti pasta
- 2 cups low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup (225 grams) part-skim ricotta cheese
Sauce and Greens:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) low-sugar marinara sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or other leafy greens)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch dish with nonstick spray, then preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water and cook ziti until tender, ensuring a perfect al dente texture; drain thoroughly and set pasta aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium temperature and brown ground turkey completely, breaking meat into small crumbles.
- Add fresh spinach to the turkey, sautéing until leaves wilt and incorporate seamlessly with the meat; season with salt and pepper.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and the turkey-spinach mixture, stirring until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer half the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an initial layer with uniform coverage.
- Sprinkle a generous portion of mozzarella cheese across the first layer, providing a melty foundation.
- Pour remaining pasta mixture over the cheese, creating a second complete layer.
- Top the dish with the final layer of mozzarella, ensuring even cheese distribution.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly.
- Remove from oven and allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes, helping the dish set and flavors meld together before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground turkey for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor.
- Consider using whole wheat ziti to increase fiber and nutritional value, creating a more balanced meal for families.
- Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to boost nutrient density and add colorful variety to the dish.
- Allow the ziti to rest after baking, which helps ingredients settle and makes serving easier without losing the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg