Heart-Healthy Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this Heart-Healthy Baked Ziti with Meatballs recipe—a deliciously wholesome twist on a classic comfort food. Made with nutrient-packed whole-grain ziti, lean ground turkey meatballs, and a low-sodium marinara sauce, this dish is big on flavor while being kind to your heart. The turkey meatballs, blended with rolled oats and seasoned with fragrant garlic, onion powder, and Italian herbs, add a satisfying protein boost without the excess saturated fat. Topped with part-skim mozzarella and baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this meal is as nutritious as it is irresistible. Ready in just about an hour, it’s perfect for busy families craving hearty, homemade goodness. Serve it hot, adorned with fresh basil for a touch of color and aromatic flair!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole-grain ziti pasta
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 0.25 cup rolled oats
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups low-sodium marinara sauce
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the whole-grain ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground turkey, rolled oats, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.
Shape the turkey mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, yielding roughly 20-24 meatballs.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the turkey meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
Pour 2 cups of the low-sodium marinara sauce into the skillet with the meatballs and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, combine the cooked ziti pasta and meatballs with their sauce. Add remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce and mix gently to distribute evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, and garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2853 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 93.2 g | 119% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.6 g | 138% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 570 mg | 190% | |
| Sodium | 1224 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 341.7 g | 124% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 52.3 g | 187% | |
| Total Sugars | 50.8 g | ||
| Protein | 182.8 g | 366% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 1239 mg | 95% | |
| Iron | 28.5 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 4628 mg | 98% | |
*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.
