Big pasta dishes are always so comforting! Try our Baked Ziti recipe the next time you’re craving pasta.
Ingredients
Turkey "Sausage"
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 2 Tablespoons Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
Ziti
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 28 ounces tomato sauce unsalted
- 28 ounce diced tomatoes no salt added
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend without salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound ziti noodles
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella reduced fat
- 16 ounces cottage cheese, low-fat
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 large eggs
Servings: 1 1/4 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, place turkey and all of the spices, and mix to combine well. Cover and let rest for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until beginning to soften. Add in the turkey sausage and cook until browned.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian herb blend, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat to begin the cooling process or place in an ice bath if you’re going to freeze.
- While the sauce simmers, boil the ziti noodles to less than “al dente”. Once noodles are cooked, drain and rinse them under cool water running water. Add into the sauce and stir to gently combine.
- In a bowl, combine the cheeses, parsley, and eggs. Whisk to combine.
- Option #1: In a 9x13 inch casserole dish place a layer of ziti noodles evenly on the bottom. Next, layer the cottage cheese mixture either in a single layer or in dollops centered where the 12 slices would be. Finally, layer the remaining ziti on top.
- Options #2: Layer your ziti in smaller sets of pans to eat now and later. For example, two 8x8 pans, or 4 loaf pans. Cover and prepare for freezing.
Cook Immediately
- Preheat the oven to 375*F. Cook covered in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.
Freeze, Thaw & Cook
- Place in the freezer and store for up to 2 months. Ensure you've assembled your ziti for freezing in freezer-safe containers.
- Remove from the freezer 24 hours before cooking and place in the refrigerator to thaw.
- Cook covered in the oven at 375*F for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.
Recipe Notes
