390 Calorie Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a casserole you can keep on the menu while you are losing weight. Ricotta stirred through the pasta and a modest layer of mozzarella on top give you the bubbling, cheesy dish at about 390 calories a serving, which fits in a calorie deficit.
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and brands.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy and bubbly like the classic, at about 390 calories a serving.
- A full 60 g (2.1 oz) of dry ziti per portion.
- Ricotta is mixed into the pasta, so every bite is creamy and not just the top.
- Ready in about 35 minutes, with only a few minutes of real work.
Ingredients
- 8½ oz (240 g) ziti or penne
- 1¾ cups (450 g) marinara sauce, no added sugar
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (130 g) part-skim ricotta cheese
- ¾ cup (90 g) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup (5 g) fresh basil leaves, torn
- ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray for the dish
How to Make It
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 2 quart (about 9 inch) baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the ziti in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package says, because it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain.
- In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, garlic, half of the marinara, the salt and the pepper.
- Add the ziti and stir until every piece is coated. Spread it in the baking dish and pour the rest of the marinara over the top.
- Sprinkle with the mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 minutes more, until bubbling with a few golden spots.
- Let it stand for 5 minutes, then scatter the basil on top and serve.
Lose weight. Keep the pizza.
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See What’s Inside →Illustrative image. Individual results may vary.
Tips & Substitutions
Undercook the pasta. Ziti keeps absorbing sauce in the oven. If you cook it fully first, it turns soft.
Read the marinara label. Jars vary a lot. A simple tomato sauce with no added sugar keeps the numbers where they are in this recipe.
Let it rest. Five minutes out of the oven lets the sauce settle so the portions hold their shape.
Whole milk ricotta? It works and adds about 12 calories per serving.
How to Make It More Filling
Stir 3 cups (90 g) of baby spinach into the ricotta mixture before you add the pasta. It wilts in the oven and adds about 5 calories per serving. A big green salad on the side also fills the plate.
Storage
Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can freeze portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat covered at 350°F (175°C) or in the microwave.
How much should you eat in a day?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add meat?
Yes. Brown 8 oz (225 g) of lean ground turkey and stir it into the sauce. It adds about 85 calories per serving.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble it up to a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge and add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.
Can I use another pasta shape?
Yes. Penne, rigatoni and rotini all work with the same 8½ oz (240 g).
Why is my ziti watery?
The marinara may be thin or the pasta may have been fully cooked first. Use a thicker sauce and undercook the pasta by 2 minutes.
Tight jeans? Let’s fix that.
Bye Weight is a weight loss community. No gym, no strict diet, no guilt. Just short lessons and simple walks.
See What’s Inside →Illustrative image. Individual results may vary.
