Ficarelli Favorite Baked Ziti

This recipe is a Ficarelli family favorite. You know no matter what diet you or your family members are loyal to, old family recipes need to be revisited. There are many options you can take to your recipes to make them lower in fat and calories. But keeping everyone in the family happy with meal choices is important too.

1 lb whole wheat ziti
Your favorite pasta sauce, or make your own healthy version (if you use the store bought variety, be mindful of the sugar and sodium content).
Small container of skim ricotta cheese
16 oz pkg. of skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
Grated Romano cheese (optional)
1 can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
1 lb broccoli florets, seasoned
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced or grated
1 lb Italian turkey sausage
Pinch red pepper
Pinch black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly rub oil on inside of baking dish.
In separate pot, bring ziti to a boil and cook al dente.
Remove from heat and drain ziti in colander.
In separate pan, cook sausage with olive oil and garlic, cook sausage thoroughly, about 4 to 5 minutes total.
Drain sausage on paper towels and let cool, then cut into bite size pieces.
In separate pot, cook broccoli florets al dente.
Remove from heat and drain.
Let everything cool then toss together in large bowl, drained pasta, broccoli, cut-up sausage.
Open can of beans and drain.
Add beans to bowl.
Stir in half of the pasta sauce, ricotta cheese, optional Romano cheese, red and black pepper.
Spoon into pre-oiled baking dish.
Top with mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs.

Health Benefits
A healthy source of protein and nutrients that are vital to women’s health and fitness. The tomato sauce, like tomatoes are full of antioxidants and is excellent for digestion. The beans are a great source of fiber. While the cheeses supply protein and calcium for a complete women’s fitness and health diet.

Have you cooked with Ziti before?  Tell us about it in the comment space below: