Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce is a timeless consolation meals that the entire household can get pleasure from.

I made the meat sauce with lean floor beef however it’s also possible to customise it to your liking. Floor turkey or hen would work nice too.

This can be a scrumptious meal that’s additionally nice for leftovers.

The Components

Lean Floor Beef: I used 96% lean floor beef because it’s zero factors with the present plan.

Tomato Sauce, Crushed Tomatoes, and Tomato Paste: These components helped to make a do-it-yourself pasta sauce they usually’re all zero factors.

Making your individual pasta sauce helps to maintain the factors low since there isn’t any added sugar.

Ziti: Pasta is the place the vast majority of the factors come from. I used a meals scale to verify the purpose rely was correct.

Utilizing 10 oz. of raw pasta added 29 factors to the recipe.

Half-Skim Mozzarella Cheese: Utilizing part-skim as an alternative of full-fat mozzarella reduces the general fats content material of the dish, permitting you to indulge with out the guilt.

Half-skim mozzarella is right for baked ziti as a result of it melts effectively and offers that gooey, stretchy texture that all of us love.

Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper had been used to season the pasta sauce.

Grated Parmesan Cheese: I used 1 tablespoon to the pasta sauce. I all the time add it to my pasta sauce for an additional increase of taste.

Onions and Recent Garlic: Each had been used to season the bottom beef whereas cooking.

Click on right here to trace the factors in your Weight Watchers app.

Easy methods to Make Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Deliver a pot of water to a boil, prepare dinner and drain the ziti in accordance with the instructions on the package deal. Ensure you don’t overcook the ziti since it would even be baking within the oven.

Add the bottom beef to a pan. Break it up into small items then add the onion and garlic. Drain any grease.

Measure 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and stir that into the bottom beef. Pour within the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes.

Season the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Deliver to a boil, cowl, cut back the warmth and simmer for five minutes.

Stir within the cooked pasta then pour the combination into the casserole dish. Prime it with the shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or till the cheese is melted.

Serving Options

Including a garnish to your baked ziti simply earlier than serving can add a burst of contemporary taste. Chopped contemporary parsley or basil sprinkled on prime brings a pop of shade and a touch of brightness to every chew.

Should you like a bit of warmth, a lightweight dusting of crushed pink pepper flakes will also be a pleasant contact.

Pairing your ziti with a crisp inexperienced salad is an effective way so as to add freshness and distinction. Select a mixture of leafy greens like romaine, arugula, and spinach, and toss them with cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced pink onions, and a lightweight French dressing.

Steamed or roasted greens akin to broccoli, asparagus, or inexperienced beans can add each shade and vitamins to your plate. Drizzle them with a little bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper for a easy but scrumptious accompaniment.

Listed below are some extra Weight Watchers pleasant recipes:

Rooster and Spaghetti (Ten Greenback Meal)

Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti

Taco Spaghetti

Million Greenback Spaghetti

Should you’re in search of some zero level recipes, try my submit 20 Zero Level Recipes or my submit 20 (Extra) Zero Level Recipes. Each are crammed with scrumptious recipes that gained’t price you a single level! They’re excellent for days whenever you’re operating low on factors, or making an attempt to avoid wasting up factors for an evening out. 

Should you’re in search of dessert recipes you possibly can go to 50 Weight Watchers Freestyle Desserts. It’s crammed with scrumptious desserts excellent for Weight Watchers!

Are you in search of a meal plan that’s Weight Watchers pleasant? I’ve over 300 meal plans you can select from and I submit a brand new one every week. Click on right here to test them out!