Ree Drummond's Baked Ziti

Ingredients for Baked Ziti

• Unsalted butter is the most commonly used type of butter in baking, as it allows for more control over the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Garlic, Minced - Chopped fresh garlic can take some time to chop so I often always use the freshly minced garlic that comes already made in a jar. 
• Onion diced
• Ground Beef - Is considered better than higher fat options for several reasons. First, it has less saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease and other health issues. Additionally, it tends to have fewer calories per serving, making it a good option for those watching their weight. The 96% lean ground beef from Aldi is my favorite.
• Whole Tomatoes, With Juice (or Petite Diced Tomatoes)
• Marinara Sauce - Store bought jarred marinara sauce is convenient to have at home for a quick meal.  My favorite marinara sauce is always Rao’s because it has all clean ingredients on the back of the ingredients list
• Italian Seasoning - Is a popular blend of herbs and spices that typically includes a mix of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes garlic powder or dried red pepper flakes.
• Red Pepper Flakes - are small pieces of dried hot peppers, typically made from cayenne, that are crushed or ground into small flakes.
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Ziti Noodles - or any type of pasta will work
• Part Skim Milk Ricotta Cheese - Reduced fat cottage cheese also works.
• Mozzarella Cheese - I like to use Reduced-Fat Cheese because it has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. 
• Grated Parmesan Cheese - Parmesan cheese is a hard, granular cheese that originated in Italy. It is typically made from cow's milk and has a sharp, nutty flavor. Parmesan cheese is often grated and used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, and other foods.
• Egg Fresh Minced Parsley

How to make Baked Ziti

Step 1 Heat butter in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for several minutes, or until starting to soften. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture.

Step 2 Add tomatoes, marinara sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. After that time, remove 3 to 4 cups of the sauce to a different bowl to cool down.

Step 3 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Step 4 In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1  ½ cups of the grated mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).

Step 5 Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps.) Add the cooled meat sauce and toss to combine.

Step 6 Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta, the sauce, and top it off with remaining mozzarella.

Step 7 Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cut into 12 equal portions or use 1 cup for serving size. 

Weight Watcher Friendly Baked Ziti

Ree’s recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of sausage. I’ve made the original recipe with sausage and ground beef and I decided to use a lean ground beef such as 93%. The sausage was so good mixed together with the ground beef and I can never find 95% lean ground beef in my stores but if you can find that then use that too.

I replaced all the cheese this recipe calls for with part skim mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan and used light butter instead of olive oil. Find Ree’s original here. Below is the recipe that I made more Weight Watcher friendly.

Would you like to see more chef recipes like Ree's made lower in points? Let me know in the comments below and I can tackle some more! Food Network is one of my favorite channels to watch.