Weight Watchers Turkey Sausage Baked Ziti Recipe
Weight Watchers Turkey Sausage Baked Ziti Recipe. If you’re in the mood for some Italian comfort food without the fuss, this meal is just the ticket.
It’s a WW Friendly dinner option that brings together the heartiness of pasta and the rich flavors of Italian cuisine. The star of the dish is the turkey sausage, a leaner choice that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Alongside the sausage, you’ve got ziti, a pasta that’s perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauce.
This dish isn’t just about great taste; it’s also about simplicity and ease in the kitchen. It’s a straightforward recipe, ideal for those busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours at the stove.
Weight Watchers Recipes
7 Points (2022/2024 Plan)
MyWW Points: 7 Blue Plan and 10 Green Plan
7 WW Freestyle Points and 10 Smart Points
Tips and Tricks
Prepping the Ingredients
Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. This makes the cooking process smoother and ensures nothing gets overcooked while you chop.
Removing Excess Fat
After browning the sausage, use a spoon or paper towel to remove any excess fat from the saucepan. This keeps the dish from becoming greasy.
Cooking Vegetables
Cook the onions and bell peppers until they are just softened. This step enhances their natural sweetness and adds depth to the flavor of the dish.
Mixing the Sauce
Mix the tomatoes, peas, and seasonings well to ensure an even distribution of flavors. Simmering the sauce helps meld all the flavors together beautifully.
Cooking the Pasta
Cook the ziti pasta just until al dente. It will continue to cook in the oven, and overcooking it on the stovetop can make it mushy.
Combining Ingredients
Stir the cooked pasta and half of the cheese into the sauce mixture thoroughly. This ensures every bite has a good mix of pasta, sauce, and cheese.
Baking Evenly
Spread the mixture evenly in the baking pan and top with the remaining cheese. This helps the casserole bake uniformly and ensures a cheesy top layer.
Cooling Before Serving
Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and makes it easier to serve clean slices.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the ziti with a simple side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. The freshness of the salad balances the richness of the casserole.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Related Recipes
Weight Watchers Baked Ziti
Weight Watchers Chicken Sausage And Pasta Casserole
Weight Watchers Penne Pasta With Meat Sauce
We are not affiliated with Weight Watchers/WW in any way.
Double check points on the official calculator.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links where I make a small commission if you purchase anything after clicking a link. There is no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Love wine? Check out this cute wine glass. The Points Glass Stemless Wine Glass. 3 Points, 5 Points, Who Cares
Fun but practical! The measurements are at 4 ounces, 7 ounces, and 10 ounces.
Need to make more or fewer servings?
On Desktop, hover over “Servings” # and move the slider to desired number of servings.
Weight Watchers Turkey Sausage Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- ¾ pound hot-Italian turkey sausage casings removed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 10 ounces frozen green peas thawed
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 12 ounces whole wheat ziti pasta cook according to package directions
- 6 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Place the oven rack in the center position and heat the oven to 350°F.
- Crumble the sausage meat into a large saucepan. Cook it over medium heat until browned, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes.
- Remove any excess fat from the saucepan.
- Add the onion and bell pepper to the sausage. Cook this mix for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they soften.
- Add the tomatoes, peas, tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir everything together.
- Let the mixture simmer, then lower the heat. Leave it to cook without a cover for 5 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Stir the cooked pasta and half of the cheese into the saucepan.
- Evenly spread this mixture into a 9- X 13-inch baking pan.
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top.
- Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. You'll know it's done when the cheese melts and the casserole bubbles.
- After baking, let it cool at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Slice into 8 equal sized pieces and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
You May Also Like
