Low Fat Pesto Baked Ziti

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/2 lb spiral shaped pasta
• 1/2 red onion
• 3 -4 garlic cloves
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups low-fat cheese
• 1/3 cup low-fat parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pesto sauce
• cooking spray

Recipe

• 1 cook pasta (your choice) in water for 10 minutes; will be partially cooked.
• 2 note: you do not need to add salt or oil if watching fat content; just stir and drain.
• 3 finely dice red onion.
• 4 spray pan with oil and cook onions 5 minutes until soft, add diced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• 5 add crushed tomatoes, black pepper and bay leaf.
• 6 simmer 10 - 15 minutes until slightly thicker.
• 7 spray 8 x 13 inch baking dish.
• 8 place 1/2 pasta on bottom.
• 9 in small bowl, mix ricotta, pesto, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan cheese.
• 10 place mixture on top of pasta and 1/3 of tomatoe sauce mixture.
• 11 top with rest of pasta.
• 12 top with rest of sauce.
• 13 top with rest of mozzerella and parm cheese.
• 14 bake in 180 degree oven for about 35- 40 minutes covered.
• 15 note: adjust garlic to your taste; i used 2 tablespoons.
• 16 note: i also use the lowest fat cheese i can find.
• 17 note: pesto can be store bought; look at fat content on labels as can vary significantly.
• 18 note: if you like your sauce slightly thicker, add 1 - 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
• 19 note: is a recipe that you might have to show control eating like me! 1 cup = my portion approximately.
• 20 enjoy!
• 21 i served with rocket, tomato and feta cheese salad with balsamic vinegar.