Ww 5 Points Baked Beef Ziti
Dive into comfort food bliss with this indulgent yet healthy **WW 5 Points Baked Beef Ziti**, a savvy twist on a classic Italian favorite. Made with hearty whole wheat ziti, lean ground beef, and a trio of cheeses, this dish is brimming with flavor while keeping your Weight Watchers points in check. A luscious blend of low-sugar marinara, aromatic garlic, and Italian seasoning creates a rich, savory sauce that perfectly complements the creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella layers. With just 15 minutes of prep time and baked to golden perfection, this family-friendly casserole is ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a satisfying and guilt-free comfort meal the whole table will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Whole wheat ziti pasta
- 1 pound Lean ground beef (96% lean)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, finely diced
- 2 cups Marinara sauce (low sugar)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Part-skim ricotta cheese
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- spritz Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the whole wheat ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the lean ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove any excess grease from the skillet.
Add the minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet with the ground beef and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce, salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the part-skim ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix well to combine.
In the prepared baking dish, spread a thin layer of the beef and marinara mixture on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti and spread it out evenly over the sauce.
Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, followed by half of the remaining beef and marinara mixture. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, marinara mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2376 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 79.6 g | 102% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.3 g | 191% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 461 mg | 154% | |
| Sodium | 4683 mg | 204% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 236.8 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.5 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.7 g | ||
| Protein | 202.8 g | 406% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1867 mg | 144% | |
| Iron | 25.0 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 4341 mg | 92% | |
*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.
