By Wendy
I assumed my days of regular pasta eating were behind me, but this low calorie Baked Ziti Recipe has given me a way to enjoy a much beloved Italian dish, without sacrificing too many of my points.
Simply by subbing out a few of the higher calorie ingredients for lower calorie versions, I was able to make this baked ziti pasta and keep it diet friendly, yet maintain its fabulous taste.
Anyone who is looking for a lower point version of Baked Ziti with Ground Beef will love this recipe!
BAKED ZITI PASTA RECIPE
It’s like a lasagna without the fuss! This classic casserole recipe is the epitome of comfort food, and is perfect for when you need a hot dish to bring to a potluck.
3.18 from 82 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Servings 6 servings
Calories 305 kcal
Ingredients
- 12 oz Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup chopped mushrooms
- 1 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese - (shredded)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves - (minced)
- 1 small yellow onion - (finely chopped)
- 8 oz extra lean ground beef - (96/4)
- 1 tsp oregano
- ¼ cup fresh basil - (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add onions and garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and set the pan back over medium heat.
Add the oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and mushrooms and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface); top with half of the cooked pasta. Next, layer with half of remaining beef-tomato sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Layer with remaining pasta and then top with remaining beef-tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces.
Notes
Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is 1/6th of the dish
Nutrition
Calories: 305 kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 39.5 g (13%)Protein: 22.9 g (46%)Fat: 7.1 g (11%)Saturated Fat: 2.7 g (17%)Cholesterol: 35 mg (12%)Sodium: 396 mg (17%)Potassium: 171 mg (5%)Fiber: 7.9 g (33%)Sugar: 8.4 g (9%)Calcium: 270 mg (27%)Iron: 4.5 mg (25%)
Main Ingredient: Beef Recipes
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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26 Comments
Sue6 years ago
Instructions mention rosemary, but it’s not mentioned in the ingredients list or how much.
WendyPost Author6 years ago
That was a typo! There is no rosemary used in the recipe. I corrected the post. Thanks for catching that!
Dawn6 years ago
If I wanted to prepare this this for freezing and baking later what might I do? Thank you
LaaLooshPost Author6 years ago
All you need to do is cook the dish, let it cool to room temp, then divide it up into separate, individual portions and place in a freezer safe container. Then just go ahead and freeze it! :)
Rose9 years ago
serving size said 1 piece. What is one piece with a casseroles?
Kellie9 years ago
I’ve been looking for a WW friendly ziti recipe. I am making this tonight for dinner. I am replacing the beef with ground turkey. This recipe is 10 points+ per serving not 5.
Lynn10 years ago
See Also35 Best St Patrick's Day RecipesAdded spinach, and used chopped turkey instead of ground beef (had some leftover in the fridge & needed to use it up!). Can’t wait to try it smells divine!
Alex10 years ago
I made this tonight and added half a block of greek yogurt cream cheese to the sauce. Delish!
Yjacks10 years ago
Anyone know the calories per serving?
Shirley10 years ago
I made this last night for dinner. I recently went back on weight watchers but this time my husband is home & not overseas. It is much harder with him around. LOL as he likes dinners every night. So I found this recipe and made it. I loved it and he did as well! Its very filling so one portion is definitely enough. I WILL be making this alot. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taylor Castello12 years ago
This turned out awesome! Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Madeline12 years ago
With the new points plus system, this recipe is 8 points/serving when using fat free mozzarella and only 1 tsp of olive oil
Gina12 years ago
Would substituting with gr. turkey lessen the points? Do you suggest that, or do you think the slight amount of fat in the beef helps with flavor?
LindseyJ12 years ago
This is posted last year, but I was wondering if this recipe is for the old WW or the new Points Plus?
Anonymous12 years ago
This recipe was calculated with the old Points. I’m still trying to find the time to convert all my old recipes into the new Points Plus format.
Lindsey13 years ago
This is in my oven as we speak but i added 3 more points me my hubby wanted kalbasa and more cheese lol….so i am looking so forward to this dish! smells soooo good night now <3 <3<3
Jennifer13 years ago
Had to make some changes due to ingredients on hand: used 7% fat beef, 8 oz whole grain noodles and added 1/3 cup parm cheese. With these changes it comes out to be 7 poins per serving (6 servings total). I used the new points plus system to calculate points. Yummy, yummy! Thanks for all the great recipes; makes cooking while on WW a lot easier.
Heavensgir113 years ago
I made this tonight… My family LOVED it!
Lisa13 years ago
Another question I have been wondering about pasta….do you measure the 2 oz dry or cooked? This has always stumped me. Thanks for your site and sharing your knowledge with us all!
LaaLoosh13 years ago
I always measure the pasta dry. The water adds about 3x the weight when the pasta is cooked. When you are reading the nutritional label on the box, the serving weight that it lists is usually the dry pasta unless otherwise stated.
Lisa13 years ago
Recipe is great! But are you sure it's only 5 pts? I figured the noodles are 5 pts alone..not counting meat, cheese and oil. Let me know how you figured it please! I'd much rather it be 5 pts!
LaaLoosh13 years ago
It is only 5 Points! Keep in mind that the entire recipe has 6 servings, and each serving only has about 2oz of pasta, . Also, I used a high fiber pasta which also helps keep the Points lower than using traditional pasta. So you can enjoy it and take comfort in the fact that it really is only 5 Points!
Carter13 years ago
Making this for the 9th time this year!! THIS IS TO DIE for! My whole family loves it!
Bridget14 years ago
This is by far my favorite recipe. GREAT flavor and the serving was actually big! I was full!!!
Suzanna14 years ago
We tried 3 of your recipes this week with great success! They were delicious. Thank you for gifting these recipes that the entire household can eat with pleasure. Your baked ziti is definitely on my list for this week!
Ashley14 years ago
Thanks for posting this. I can't wait to try it!
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