Low Carb Baked Ziti
A comforting and satisfying low carb version of baked ziti, made with rich ground beef and sausage in a hearty low-carb marinara sauce, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground beef sausage
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 24-25 oz low-carb marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon anise seeds
- 16 oz Kaizen Low Carb Ziti (or another lupini low carb ziti) two 8 oz boxes, boiled 4-6 minutes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic for about 2-3 minutes or until softened.
- Incorporate the ground beef and ground beef sausage into the skillet, breaking the meat into crumbles; cook until browned with no pink left (160°F on an instant-read thermometer). Drain off some fat, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons for moisture.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with juice, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and anise seeds. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reserve 2 ½ cups of sauce in a bowl to use later and allow it to cool. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Boil the Kaizen Low Carb Ziti in generously salted water for 4-6 minutes, keeping it slightly underdone since it finishes cooking in the oven. Strain and rinse with cold water to avoid sticking.
- In a large bowl, mix together 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and the eggs.
- Add the drained pasta to the cheese mixture and stir until coated. Mix in the reserved beef sauce.
Assembly and Baking
- To assemble, spread half of the pasta mixture into a large casserole dish (9 x 13 or 8 x 10). Layer half of the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with half of the remaining cheese. Repeat with the second layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Notes
This dish is perfect on its own, but you can elevate your meal by serving it alongside a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. For added flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or using a blend of different cheeses.
Net carbs: 14 g per serving (30 g total minus 16 g fiber). Carbohydrates is the full total.
Allergy note: lupini is a legume related to peanuts, so skip the lupini pasta if you have a peanut or legume allergy.