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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    February 25, 2015

    Baked Penne Pasta

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I was provided with a gift kit of Redpack Tomatoes to facilitate this recipe and giveaway. The recipe, photography, and my opinions are my own.
    Baked ziti (or baked penne pasta) is a fabulous comfort food, and great for these absolutely freezing winter days we have been having, but it's usually loaded with calories and fat from ground beef and Italian pork sausage. Not going to work for the low-fat, low-cholesterol diet we have been (mostly) following since my husbands heart attack in December. Here is my lightened up, healthier, yet still delicious and indulgent version.

    Baked Penne Pasta

    Baked Penne Pasta- Baked Penne A lightened up version of classic Baked Ziti. Still delicious and indulgent!

     

     

    I chose to make baked penne pasta instead of ziti simply because I couldn't find a whole wheat, or whole grain, or any type of "healthier" ziti when I looked at the grocery store, but I was able to find it in penne pasta. They are pretty much interchangeable anyway. I replaced traditional Italian sausage with Italian turkey sausage, and ground beef with lean ground pork, and used low-fat cheeses. I have to say, it was just as delicious as the traditional, and my husband loved it, which is most important!

     

    Baked Penne

     

    Before I get to the recipe, let me tell you about a little giveaway going on over on Red Gold Tomatoes Facebook Page, and a little giveaway I'm hosting myself. On Facebook, 1000 followers a week over 3 weeks are going to receive a branded apron, and a grand prize winner will receive a pasta stock pot, pasta-related serveware and Redpack products. Meanwhile, I am giving away a kit containing 1 28-oz can of Redpack crushed tomatoes, 1 28-oz can of whole peeled tomatoes, 1 28-oz can of diced, 1 6-oz can of tomato paste, plus recipes from Redpack. What a great giveaway for the Italian food lovers! Read on after the recipe for the giveaway entry form.

    Recipe adapted from Redpack Baked Ziti.  This recipe makes a lot, I mean like A LOT, so it would be great for a large party. If you have a baking dish larger than 9 x 13, I recommend using it. I used a 9 x 13, and the pan was almost overflowing. You could also use two baking dishes.

    Print Recipe
    4.67 from 3 votes

    Baked Penne

    Lightened up Baked Penne Pasta. Keep the comfort food but lose the fat and calories!
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Italian American
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 509kcal
    Author: Bernadette

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces organic whole wheat penne with milled flax seed or your favorite penne or ziti)
    • 1 pound bulk mild Italian turkey sausage
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 28 ounce can Redpack crushed tomatoes
    • 28 ounce can Redpack diced tomatoes
    • 16 ounces reduced fat mozzarella cheese ,freshly shredded
    • 15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
    • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 1 yellow onion ,chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves ,minced
    • 2 egg whites
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • black pepper ,to taste
    • chopped parsley for garnish
    • cooking spray

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil.
    • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium/high heat. Add turkey sausage and ground pork, breaking up the meat with a large spoon. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until the meat is browned, drain excess fat.
    • Add garlic, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, stir. Let simmer while you cook the pasta. Cook the pasta for 1 minute less than recommended time on the box.
    • In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, egg whites, and black pepper. Stir well, add the pasta and half of the sauce, stir to combine.
    • Spray a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Add the mixed pasta, Remaining sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot.

    Notes

    Adapted from RedPack

    Nutrition

    Calories: 509kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 906mg | Potassium: 611mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 675IU | Vitamin C: 24.9mg | Calcium: 503mg | Iron: 5.9mg

     

    The giveaway info! Open to US residents. I will contact the winner by email within 24 hours of the end of the contest, and the winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen. Giveaway prize will be sent by Redpack.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Annette says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:07 pm

      My favorite Italian dish is Eggplant Parmesan.

      Reply
      • Bernadette says

        February 27, 2015 at 10:07 am

        I adore Eggplant Parmesan, I need to make it again soon!

        Reply
    2. peter @feedyoursoultoo says

      February 26, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      I absolutely love this recipe. Looks great.

      Reply
      • Bernadette says

        February 27, 2015 at 10:04 am

        Thanks Peter, and thank you for stopping in!

        Reply
    3. Healing Tomato says

      February 26, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      Love all the tomatoes in the recipe and LOVE the tomato giveaway.

      Reply
      • Bernadette says

        February 27, 2015 at 10:05 am

        Thanks, I hope you entered!

        Reply
    4. Ashley says

      February 25, 2015 at 10:06 pm

      I love lasagna

      Reply
    5. Anne Hughes says

      February 25, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      4 stars
      Love tomatoes - in any shape or form or container! Italian and Mexican sauces and salsas - Salads, casseroles - You name it, I usually have tomatoes in it. <3

      Reply
    6. Dandi D says

      February 25, 2015 at 6:55 pm

      My favorite is probably Chicken Parmesan.

      Reply
      • Bernadette says

        February 26, 2015 at 10:00 am

        I love Chicken Parmesan, too! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    7. Lauren says

      February 25, 2015 at 6:07 pm

      I like to eat lasagna.

      Reply
    8. Sandy Headtke says

      February 25, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      No question, it is lasagna.

      Reply
      • Bernadette says

        February 25, 2015 at 2:59 pm

        Mmmm, now I want lasagna!

        Reply
    9. Dee Fedor says

      February 25, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE all things Italian. Lasagna is my favorite!

      Reply
      • Bernadette says

        February 25, 2015 at 2:35 pm

        Me too, ALL THINGS! I do love lasagna though 🙂

        Reply
    4.67 from 3 votes

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    Welcome to Rants From My Crazy Kitchen, where I share my favorite recipes and my thoughts on food, picky eaters, products, and restaurants. Join in the fun by subscribing to receive new posts as they are published. You can find out more about me by clicking on my picture. Enjoy!

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