Baked Ziti

From the "Wellness" emails I get through work - they're usually Biggest Loser recipes, but this one doesn't specify a source.



Ingredients:
olive oil spray
1 (14.5oz) box ziti or penne
1 (15oz) container fat-free ricotta cheese
2 large egg whites
8oz shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper, to taste
crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
3 1/2 cups low-fat, low-sodium marinara sauce (I used Barilla tomato & basil)
2 tbsp grated, reduced-fat parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450F. Lightly mist a 13x9 ceramic or glass baking dish with olive oil spray.

Cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the ricotta, egg whites, and all but 1 cup of the mozzarella until well combined. Add the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir in the cooked pasta until well combined.

Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared dish. Add half the pasta in an even layer over the sauce. Top the pasta evenly with another cup of sauce. Layer the remaining pasta over the sauce. Spoon the remaining 1 1/2 cups sauce evenly over the top of the pasta, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan over the top.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 10 minutes longer, or until the mozzarella is melted. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces or spoon among 8 bowls.

Comments:
This is very impressive-looking in its full state:



It's pretty easy to make, but it does make a lot. I ended up freezing half of it because I knew we wouldn't eat all the leftovers. I'm not a fan of ricotta and it's almost too much in this dish. Other than that, it's not bad.