Low Fat Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Dive into comfort food bliss with this **Low Fat Baked Ziti with Meatballs**, a lighter twist on a classic Italian-American favorite! Featuring tender ziti pasta layered with flavorful turkey meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and melty reduced-fat mozzarella, this recipe delivers all the indulgent taste of baked ziti without the extra calories. Lean ground turkey seasoned with garlic, Parmesan, and a medley of herbs creates juicy, satisfying meatballs, while the quick-prep method and streamlined baking process make it a breeze to whip up for weeknight dinners. Perfectly portioned to serve six, this high-protein, low-fat dish is a wholesome yet decadently cheesy option that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're meal prepping or feeding the family, this baked casserole is an irresistible crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 12 ounces lean ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- olive oil spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a large baking dish with olive oil spray and set aside.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the ziti until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves of minced garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well to combine.
Shape the turkey mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter—a total of about 24-28 meatballs.
In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, spray with olive oil spray and cook the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
In another bowl, combine the cooked ziti with 2 1/2 cups of marinara sauce and mix thoroughly.
Spoon half of the ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the meatballs on top, followed by the remaining ziti mixture.
Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your low-fat baked ziti with meatballs!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3277 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.6 g | 137% | |
| Saturated Fat | 45.1 g | 226% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 618 mg | 206% | |
| Sodium | 8611 mg | 374% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 373.9 g | 136% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.6 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.3 g | ||
| Protein | 217.6 g | 435% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 2328 mg | 179% | |
| Iron | 24.9 mg | 138% | |
| Potassium | 1144 mg | 24% | |
*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.
