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Cheesy Baked Ziti Comfort Food Dinner

Who says you have to give up cheesy pasta when you're watching calories? This baked ziti is loaded with three types of cheese and a savory marinara sauce, but we've made smart swaps to keep each serving under 400 calories. It's perfect for meal prep too—just make it on Sunday and enjoy leftovers all week long!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz whole wheat ziti pasta
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 jar 24 oz low-sodium marinara sauce
  • 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, brown ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in marinara sauce, basil, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, ½ cup mozzarella, and ¼ cup Parmesan. Mix until well combined.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the meat sauce and toss to combine. Fold in the ricotta mixture until pasta is evenly coated.
  7. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!