"Clean" and Delish

Back when I was on my Clean Eating kick, we discovered this recipe for Baked Ziti. It is so stinkin' yummy! John was actually the first one to make it - I gave him the recipe and had him cook it up while I went to a Mary Kay party last May. My sister and her family came to town during the party and this is what John had ready for them to eat for dinner. Her kids are picky - like mine - and they all loved it! She tried to make it at her house and her 10 year old walked into the kitchen and saw her shredding carrots and was so disgusted and said, "When John made it, it didn't have carrots in it!"

Oh, but it did! And onions.

We had this again tonight and it was every bit as delicious...
Want the recipe?

This is from the book The Eat-Clean Diet for Family & Kids by Tosca Reno:

Baked Ziti

1 lb lean ground turkey (I used beef this time - but turkey is yummy too!)

2 cups shredded sweet carrots

1 small onion, peeled and diced fine

2 cloves garlic, passed through a garlic press

1-2 Tbsp best quality olive-oil

26oz can crushed tomatoes

1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock

8 oz brown-rice penne (or other whole-grain pasta) (I used whole wheat penne)

2 Tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped fine (I used 1 Tbsp dried basil)

1/2 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese (optional)

In a large skillet, hear olive oil over medium heat and cook ground turkey, carrots, onion and garlic, until browned. Add chicken or vegetable stock, tomatoes, pasta and basil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until past is al dente.

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray. Turn pasta mixture into baking dish. Press down lightly with the back of a spoon.

Sprinkle with cheese, if using. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.

*I was in a bit of a time crunch and couldn't understand why it needed 20 minutes to melt cheese so I just did it for 10 minutes and it was fine.