Zesty Ziti Bake

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb ziti pasta or 1 lb rigatoni pasta
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 sweet red peppers or 2 zucchini, diced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes in puree
• 2 teaspoons dried italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 egg whites
• 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 325°f.
• 2 prepare the pasta according to the package directions. drain and transfer to a 3-quart casserole dish.
• 3 meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. add the zucchini or sweet red pepper, tomatoes, italian seasoning, red-pepper flakes, salt and pepper. cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
• 4 combine the egg whites and the ricotta in a medium bowl, stir to mix well, and spoon over the pasta. top with the vegetable mixture and sprinkle with the mozzarella and parmesan.
• 5 bake for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown.