5 from 100 votes
Healthy Baked Ziti
Healthy Baked Ziti combines cooked ziti pasta with browned ground beef, spinach, onions, garlic, and a flavorful pasta sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The assembled casserole is baked covered to melt the cheese and then optionally broiled for a golden finish. The recipe balances protein, vegetables, and pasta in a comforting dish suitable for make-ahead meals.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
382 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian, American
Ingredients
- 8 oz ziti pasta see note below if box is 12 oz, box
- 1 lbs ground beef 96% lean, lean
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tbsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup white onion diced
- 1 cup spinach fresh or frozen
- 26 oz pasta sauce I used vodka sauce, of choice
- ⅔ cup mozzarella low fat, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Start by preparing the noodles. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook ziti pasta according to boxed instructions. Once cooked, strain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add oil and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant. Add the ground beef and allow to brown. Break up the meat as it cooks.
- Add in the Italian seasoning, diced white onions, and chopped spinach. Stir together. Cook until onions are translucent and beef is fully cooked.
- Add pasta sauce to the meat mixture and mix together. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Spray a 3 quart dish with cooking spray. Add cooked ziti noodles into the casserole dish.
- Pour the meat sauce over the noodles. Stir.
- Top with both cheeses and cover with tinfoil. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted. If desired remove foil and broil the dish for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubble. Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Regular pasta noodles hold up better than plant-based alternatives in this recipe.
- For a 12 oz pasta box, increase sauce to about 32 oz for proper coverage.
- Assemble the dish up to a day ahead; bake from refrigerated state adding about 10 minutes extra baking time.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 serving
Calories
382kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
32g
(64%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
45mg
(15%)
Sodium
401mg
(17%)
Potassium
673mg
(14%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 382
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving | |
| Calories | 382kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 45mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 401mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 673mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.