Better-for-You Cauliflower Baked “Ziti”
Prep: 25 minutes Bake: 18 minutes Serves: 6
1pound Busch’s Ground Chuck
1small white onion, chopped
1tablespoon Colavita® 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4cloves garlic, minced
1can (28 ounces) no salt added tomato sauce
2teaspoons Italian seasoning
3cups packed Busch’s Baby Spinach
1cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2teaspoon salt
1/2teaspoon ground black pepper
8fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Heat large saucepot with 1/2-inch water to a boil over medium-high heat; add cauliflower. Cover and cook 5 minutes; drain.
2. In large skillet, cook ground chuck over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until browned, breaking up ground chuck with side of spoon; transfer to bowl. To same skillet, add onion and oil; cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in tomato sauce, seasoning and ground chuck; cook 5 minutes or until heated through.
3. In large bowl, toss spinach, 1/2 cup each ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, salt, pepper, cauliflower and ground chuck mixture; spread in 3-quart baking dish and top with dollops of remaining 1/2 cup ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake “ziti” 20 minutes or until cheese melts; garnish with basil.
Approximate nutritional values per serving:
354 Calories, 19g Fat (8g Saturated), 72mg Cholesterol, 682mg Sodium, 21g Carbohydrates, 5g Fiber, 10g Sugars, 28g Protein
Chef Tip:
For a vegetarian version, substitute cooked lentils for the ground beef: Prepare 1 cup dry lentils as label directs; drain. In step 2, omit the ground beef and cook the onion in 1 teaspoon olive oil; continue with step 2, folding the cooked lentils into the heated tomato mixture.