Easy Italian Ziti

Ziti

We love this “Easy Italian Ziti” recipe for a week night dinner. Make it a meal with a green salad, diced apples and low-fat milk. This is also the type of dish that only gets better as left overs!

Ingredients: 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 (24 oz.) jar of low sodium spaghetti sauce pasta-2197830_960_720
  • 2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 8 oz. whole-wheat ziti or penne pasta cooked according to package directions
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350* F.

  • In a large skillet, saute beef until it browns. Drain excess fat. Add spaghetti sauce and heat through.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and garlic powder. Add cooked ziti and mix well. tomato-soup-482403_960_720
  • Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the dish. Spoon ziti mixture into pan and top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes uncovered. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

 

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes 8 servings
Serving size: 1/8 of prepared recipe
Cost per serving: $1.69
Cost per recipe: $14.10

Nutritional facts per serving: 301 Calories; 9g fat; 3.5g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 75mg cholesterol; 350 mg sodium; 32g carbohydrates; 3g fiber; 9g sugar; 26g protein; 15% daily value of vitamin A; Daily value of vitamin C; 20% daily value of calcium; 15% daily value of iron.

Source: Sarah Brandl, Extension Specialist for Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.