Low Fat Pesto Baked Ziti
photo by Redsie
- Ready In:
- 55mins
- Ingredients:
- 11
- Serves:
-
6-8
ingredients
- 1⁄2 lb spiral shaped pasta
- 1⁄2 red onion
- 3 -4 garlic cloves
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 1⁄2 cups low-fat cheese
- 1⁄3 cup low-fat parmesan cheese
- 1⁄4 cup pesto sauce
- cooking spray
directions
- COOK pasta (your choice) in water for 10 minutes; will be partially cooked.
- NOTE: You do NOT need to add salt or oil if watching fat content; just stir and DRAIN.
- Finely dice red onion.
- Spray pan with oil and cook onions 5 minutes until soft, ADD diced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- ADD crushed tomatoes, black pepper and bay leaf.
- SIMMER 10 - 15 minutes until slightly thicker.
- Spray 8 x 13 inch baking dish.
- Place 1/2 pasta on bottom.
- In small bowl, mix ricotta, pesto, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan cheese.
- Place mixture on top of pasta and 1/3 of tomatoe sauce mixture.
- TOP with rest of pasta.
- TOP with rest of sauce.
- TOP with rest of mozzerella and parm cheese.
- BAKE in 180 degree oven for about 35- 40 minutes covered.
- NOTE: Adjust garlic to YOUR taste; I used 2 tablespoons.
- NOTE: I also use the lowest fat cheese I can find.
- NOTE: Pesto can be store bought; look at fat content on labels as can vary significantly.
- NOTE: If you like your sauce slightly thicker, add 1 - 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
- NOTE: Is a recipe that you might have to show control eating like me! 1 cup = my portion approximately.
- ENJOY!
- I served with rocket, tomato and feta cheese salad with balsamic vinegar.
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Reviews
-
I made this last night and it turned out very good. I used spaghetti sauce instead of using the 2nd-6 ingredients, (fast and easy.) I did add some hot turkey sausages which arent the most lean but very tasty. I also used low fat cottage cheese instaed of the ricatta, i figured that sounded healthier. I wasnt sure about your cooking times and temp so i cooked mine at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, turned out perfect. thanks for the great recipe. :)
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
mickeydownunder
ADELAIDE, 0
<p>G'day! I'm 51, married, born and bred in NY, am now an Aussie who calls Australia home! I love animals, nature, reading, entering competitions and consider myself S-P-O-N-T-A-N-E-O-U-S and B-U-B-B-L-Y in my personality! I am quite FASCINATED with people and things U-N-I-Q-U-E, JUST like ME! I am VERY P-A-S-S-I-O-N-A-T-E about cooking and trying recipes from all world cusines! I LOVE to eat and enjoy our South Australian red wine! :)I have started a Home Cook blog which I am EXTREMELY P-A-S-S-I-O-N-A-T-E about called What's On The List? and I hope to be able to inspire people around the world one recipe and one event at a time too! http://whatsonthelist.net So come on over and please let me know what you think too!WHOO HOO WHOO HOO!</p>