Description
This Meatless Baked Ziti is the ultimate cozy, cheesy comfort food—without the meat! Layers of tender pasta, marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and golden, bubbly mozzarella make it a standout for quick dinners, make-ahead meals, or potluck favorites. Ideal for anyone craving delicious dinner ideas, vegetarian meals, or quick and easy recipes that feel like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re into easy food ideas or family-style baked dishes, this one’s a keeper.
Ingredients
450g ziti pasta
3 cups marinara sauce
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup chopped spinach or zucchini (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. If using homemade marinara, simmer it until slightly thickened. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
3. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of marinara on the bottom, followed by half the pasta. Add spoonfuls of ricotta, more marinara, mozzarella, and a bit of parmesan. Repeat layers.
4. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan on top. Cover with foil.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Let the ziti rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Cook pasta slightly under al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
For a richer flavor, stir some roasted garlic or red wine into the marinara sauce.
You can fully assemble the dish a day ahead and bake when ready to serve—perfect for entertaining.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: meatless baked ziti, vegetarian pasta bake, easy dinner recipe, baked pasta, quick comfort food