Best 4 Healthier Baked Ziti Recipes

Indulge in a healthier version of the classic Italian-American dish, Baked Ziti, with this curated collection of recipes. From traditional to vegan and gluten-free options, these recipes offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will satisfy every palate. Dive into the hearty and comforting flavors of Baked Ziti with lean ground turkey, whole wheat pasta, and a creamy homemade sauce. Experience a lighter twist with Baked Ziti made with zucchini noodles, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy tomato sauce. For a plant-based delight, try the Vegan Baked Ziti featuring a rich and flavorful sauce made from roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and a medley of vegetables. Gluten-free enthusiasts will rejoice over the Gluten-Free Baked Ziti, where brown rice pasta and a creamy dairy-free sauce create a satisfying and wholesome dish. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, nutritional information, and serving suggestions to ensure a delightful and hassle-free cooking experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HEALTHY BAKED ZITI

Healthy Baked Ziti image

This healthy baked ziti recipe is the ultimate classic Italian comfort food! Pasta baked with a delicious red sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella melted on top. But don't worry, this lightened-up version does not skimp on the bold Italian flavors that you look forward to with a cheesy baked ziti. It can be assembled ahead of time for an easy dinner or to feed a crowd at your next party.

Provided by Organize Yourself Skinny

Categories casserole pasta recipe

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 lb dry ziti or penne pasta (whole grain or organic)
1 15- ounce container of part-skim ricotta cheese (drain excess liquid)
1 large egg
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (can also use grated romano cheese)
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
pinch of crushed red pepper
3 - 4 cups spaghetti sauce (homemade or high-quality jarred sauce)
2 cups shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Bring a 5-6 quart pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 5 minutes. The pasta should still have a bite to it after it cooks. This helps keep the pasta from getting mushy.
Drain the pasta and rinse. Place the pasta into a 9 x13 baking dish.
Mix ricotta cheese, egg, romano or parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in the crushed red pepper if you're using it.
Mix the ricotta cheese mixture and spaghetti sauce in with the pasta. Start with 3-cups of sauce and add more if you need to. The pasta should be covered with sauce and cheese mixture.
Sprinkle mozzarella over the top of the pasta mixture.
Cover with foil and bake for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and the baked ziti is bubbling on the sides.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 382 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 15 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Sugar 5 g

HEALTHIER BAKED ZITI I

Healthier Baked Ziti I image

I love pasta but it is not always the healthiest thing to have for dinner. To make this one a little less guilty, I use turkey and add a carrot to the sauce. So tasty!

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Turkey Ground Turkey Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 pound ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground turkey
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
1 carrot, chopped
6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
1 ½ cups reduced-fat sour cream
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and ground turkey until onion is translucent and turkey is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and carrot; simmer until heated through, about 15 minutes. Layer ingredients into prepared baking dish as follows: half the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, half the sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in preheated oven until cheeses are melted, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 524.8 calories, Carbohydrate 58 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 5.6 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 914.4 mg, Sugar 15.2 g

HEALTHIER BAKED ZITI

Healthier Baked Ziti image

This easy and comforting dish is made healthier with turkey sausage, lots of great veggies, and less cheese than traditional baked ziti.

Provided by Melissa Moreland

Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 pound ziti pasta
1 bunch fresh spinach, or more to taste
¾ cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 pound Italian turkey sausage
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
6 ounces smoked fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ziti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and transfer pasta to a bowl and toss with spinach and sour cream.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir sausage, onion, carrots, and garlic until onion is translucent and sausage is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and broccoli to sausage mixture and simmer until sauce mixture is heated through, about 15 minutes.
Layer 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 1/2 of the fresh mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the sauce mixture, the remaining ziti mixture, and fresh mozzarella cheese, respectively, into the baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the dish. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven until cheeses have melted, about 20 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and cook until top is lightly browned, about 10 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 485.4 calories, Carbohydrate 61 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 7.3 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1088.1 mg, Sugar 16.3 g

BAKED ZITI ALFREDO WITH CAJUN CHICKEN

Baked Ziti Alfredo with Cajun Chicken image

To me this is the ultimate comfort food. The spiciness of the chicken is complemented by the smooth creaminess of the Alfredo sauce. Delicious with a nice glass of white wine.

Provided by Taunte Sara

Categories Pasta Main Dishes

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, or to taste
½ teaspoon salt
1 large green bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 large red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
6 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or more as needed
1 ½ cups whole milk, or more to taste
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain.
While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add chicken, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Saute until chicken is cooked through and beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add bell peppers, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic; cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Add more Parmesan to thicken or more milk to thin to your liking.
Add cooked pasta to the chicken mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a deep casserole dish. Pour cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.8 calories, Carbohydrate 53.1 g, Cholesterol 70.4 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 790.5 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

Tips for Making the Healthier Baked Ziti:

Use whole wheat pasta. Whole wheat pasta is a healthier alternative to white pasta as it is higher in fiber and nutrients.
Use low-fat or non-fat cheese. Full-fat cheese is high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol levels. Using low-fat or non-fat cheese can help to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the dish.
Add plenty of vegetables. Vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Adding plenty of vegetables to the dish will help to make it more nutritious and filling.
Use a light sauce. A heavy sauce can add a lot of calories and fat to the dish. Using a light sauce, such as a tomato-based sauce, can help to keep the dish healthier.
Bake the dish at a high temperature. Baking the dish at a high temperature will help to create a crispy crust and prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.

Conclusion:

This healthier baked ziti recipe is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The dish is made with whole wheat pasta, low-fat cheese, plenty of vegetables, and a light sauce. It is also baked at a high temperature to create a crispy crust and prevent the pasta from becoming mushy. This recipe is a great way to get your family to eat more vegetables and whole grains.