Low Fat Pesto Baked Ziti

Submitted by mickeydownunder

"Inspired by the Internet, TRUE! Ingredients J-U-M-P-E-D out at me too! EXACTLY what I wanted today! This recipe is MORE than OK!!!"

 

• 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

1. COOK pasta (your choice) in water for 10 minutes; will be partially cooked.
2. NOTE: You do NOT need to add salt or oil if watching fat content; just stir and DRAIN.
3. Finely dice red onion.
4. Spray pan with oil and cook onions 5 minutes until soft, ADD diced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. ADD crushed tomatoes, black pepper and bay leaf.
6. SIMMER 10 - 15 minutes until slightly thicker.
7. Spray 8 x 13 inch baking dish.
8. Place 1/2 pasta on bottom.
9. In small bowl, mix ricotta, pesto, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan cheese.
10. Place mixture on top of pasta and 1/3 of tomatoe sauce mixture.
11. TOP with rest of pasta.
12. TOP with rest of sauce.
13. TOP with rest of mozzerella and parm cheese.
14. BAKE in 180 degree oven for about 35- 40 minutes covered.
15. NOTE: Adjust garlic to YOUR taste; I used 2 tablespoons.
16. NOTE: I also use the lowest fat cheese I can find.
17. NOTE: Pesto can be store bought; look at fat content on labels as can vary significantly.
18. NOTE: If you like your sauce slightly thicker, add 1 - 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
19. NOTE: Is a recipe that you might have to show control eating like me! 1 cup = my portion approximately.
20. ENJOY!
21. I served with rocket, tomato and feta cheese salad with balsamic vinegar.

Reviews

[Redsie]

Dec. 2008:This is easy, fast and tasty!! Used penne pasta and diced tomatoes. Added a bit of crushed red pepper and used low-fat cottage cheese instead of ricotta. Thanks mickey! :) October 2009: made this again and loved it again! :)

 

[cali~jenn]

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. :)

 

[patti k.]

Delightful! Even the 8-year old gave it 5 stars, and she's tough to impress. This has a light taste but is very flavorful, easy to put together. Thanks for posting!