Vegetarian Ziti Gratinee
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegetarian Ziti Gratinée, a hearty baked pasta dish that combines tender ziti, a medley of sautéed vegetables, and rich marinara sauce for a flavor-packed casserole that’s meat-free yet deeply satisfying. Layers of creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan are crowned with a golden breadcrumb topping infused with fresh parsley, creating a delightful texture contrast. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this dish comes together in just an hour and serves six satisfying portions. Packed with nutrient-rich zucchini, red bell pepper, spinach, and aromatic garlic, it's a wholesome vegetarian twist on classic baked ziti that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add diced zucchini and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
Pour in marinara sauce and stir to combine. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, vegetable marinara mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the ziti mixture evenly into the dish.
Top the ziti with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with chopped parsley. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with additional chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
484 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.1 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.6 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 55 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 963 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.9 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.7 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g | ||
| Protein | 24.7 g | 49% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 497 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 301 mg | 6% | |
*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.
