Photo of Baked Beef Ziti by WW

Baked Beef Ziti

7
Points® value
Total Time
1 hr 15 min
Prep
25 min
Cook
50 min
Serves
8
Difficulty
Moderate
If you thought you couldn't indulge in your fattening favorites and still lose weight, you'll be thrilled to know that baked ziti is not a thing of the past.

Ingredients

Uncooked ziti

12 oz

Olive oil

1 tsp(s)

Uncooked 95% lean ground beef

5 oz

Dried oregano

1 tsp(s)

Dried thyme

1 tsp(s)

Dried rosemary

1 tsp(s)

Table salt

½ tsp(s)

Canned crushed tomatoes

20 oz

Garlic

2 clove(s), large, minced

Black pepper

½ pinch(es)

Part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 cup(s), shredded, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and return pan to heat.
  4. Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Spoon a small amount of tomato mixture into the bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover the surface). Top with half of the cooked ziti and then layer with half of the remaining tomato sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Layer remaining ziti on top and top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.