Vegetarian Baked Ziti
Get ready to indulge in hearty comfort food with this Vegetarian Baked Ziti recipe—a cheesy, vegetable-packed twist on the classic Italian-American favorite! Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this dish layers al dente ziti pasta with a creamy ricotta mixture, a robust marinara sauce brimming with sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and aromatic seasonings like oregano and basil. Topped with a gooey blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and baked to golden perfection, the casserole is a delightful combination of rich flavors and comforting textures. Quick to prep and easy to customize, this vegetarian crowd-pleaser pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal. Keywords: vegetarian baked ziti, easy baked ziti recipe, cheesy pasta casserole, Italian comfort food, vegetarian pasta bake.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 medium bell pepper
- 8 ounces mushrooms
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add minced garlic, chopped bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
Add cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and toss until fully incorporated.
Spread a thin layer of the vegetable sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the pasta and cheese mixture over the sauce.
Pour half of the remaining vegetable sauce over the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta and cheese mixture, then top with the rest of the vegetable sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the rest of the Parmesan cheese over the top of the ziti.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your Vegetarian Baked Ziti!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
436 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.4 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.1 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 59 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 904 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.2 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.4 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.6 g | ||
| Protein | 25.4 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 516 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 387 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
