Kielbasa baked ziti

12
Points®
Total Time
41 min
Prep
6 min
Cook
35 min
Serves
6
Difficulty
Easy
What can turn a humdrum dish into a special, crowd-pleasing favorite? Sometimes just one ingredient, such as the smoky kielbasa in this easy baked ziti, will do it. This six-ingredient dish is classic, crave-worthy comfort food. If traditional Italian flavor is what you’re after, substitute Italian turkey sausage for the kielbasa. Canned and jarred tomato products can be high in sodium, so if you are concerned about your sodium intake, use a low-sodium or no-salt-added tomato sauce. Or you can substitute low-sodium canned tomatoes, such as crushed or diced tomatoes, for the tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as basil or thyme, for added color and flavor.

Ingredients

Uncooked ziti

10 oz

Kielbasa

½ pound(s), turkey variety, cut into 1⁄4-inch-thick slices

Shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

1 cup(s)

Canned tomato sauce

2 cup(s), italian or tomato-basil variety

Frozen green peas

10 oz

Grated Parmesan cheese

3 Tbsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 7 x 11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to package directions; drain and return to the pot.
  3. Add the kielbasa, 1⁄2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of the sauce, the peas, and 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan cheese to the pot with the ziti; toss well. Pour into the baking dish and spread smooth. Spoon the remaining sauce over the top of the ziti mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining 1⁄2 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
  4. Lightly spray a sheet of foil with nonstick spray, then place it over the baking dish. Bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake until the cheese melts and the ziti is heated through, about 10 minutes longer. Yields 1⁄6 of casserole per serving.