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You will love how easy this ziti is to make and your kids will love how delicious it tastes.  The best thing I love about my recipe is it’s very healthy because it’s made with 100% whole grain pasta, over 5 cups of fresh vegetables, and low in fat — but not low in flavor.  I hope this ziti will become as big of a hit in your family as it is in mine.

This recipe makes a lot, but don’t worry because this ziti tastes even better the next day.  It reheats really well for that quick work-at-home power lunch.

Easy, Cheesy Ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 – 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
• 5 fresh tomatoes, diced or 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1 – 14 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 – 6 oz can of tomato paste
• 2 zucchinis, diced (or as much as you’d like)
• 2 yellow squash, diced (or as much as you’d like)
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 lb bag of uncooked whole grain pasta (penne or ziti works best)
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• Cayenne, if desired
• Oregano, if desired
• 2 cups shredded low-fat mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded low-fat parmesan

1.  Cook and drain the pasta al dente.  (If the instructions say 10 minutes, boil it for 9 minutes instead.)  Don’t forget to add salt to the water.

2.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

3.  Saute onions in olive oil until they’re soft and add the ground beef plus a little salt and pepper to taste.  Once the beef is slightly brown, add the chopped zucchini, squash, and fresh tomatoes.  Saute this for a little while longer until the vegetables soften.  Add the tomato paste or pasta sauce and cook for 5 minutes until the meat mixture is hot. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of cayenne (optional) and oregano (optional) to taste.  The sauce should be about the consistency of a thin but chunky meat sauce.  If the sauce is too watery, add a teaspoon of tomato paste to thicken.

4.  Assemble the ingredients in a 13 x 9 pan.  Spray your pan with cooking spray, then add a layer of pasta, followed by sauce, then top it with mozzarella cheese, and continue until your pan is brimming with deliciousness.  After you add the last layer of mozzarella, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top which will brown nicely and give the ziti a nice flavor and color. 

5.  Put the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes on 375 or until the cheese melts.

6.  Let it cool for about 5-10 minutes, then enjoy!

Makes about 12 hearty servings.  Approximately 400 calories* per serving.

 

* Calorie counts are my best estimate based on the ingredients I use.  Please use this as an approximate guide only.

You might also like:

1. Margherita Pita Pizza
2. Pineapple Pita Pizza
3. Personal Pita Pizzas