This Meatless Baked Ziti recipe is perfect for those who are looking for a hearty and delicious pasta dish without any meat. Made with layers of ziti, homemade marinara sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Jump to:
- ❤️ Favorite things about this recipe
- 📝 Ingredients you'll need
- 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
- 🥄 Step by step: instructions
- 👍 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
- 🧺 How to store leftovers
- ⌛ Make Ahead
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 👩🍳 Variations to make it your own
- 💬 Common questions: FAQs
- 📣 Related Recipes
- Meatless Baked Ziti
❤️ Favorite things about this recipe
- You only need simple ingredients, which means that it's a budget-friendly dinner, and you won't have to break the bank at the grocery store.
- This recipe is also great to prep ahead which makes it perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
- It's topped with plenty of cheese, so even the picky eaters in your house will rave about it.
We love a nice pasta dish for dinner because not only is it filling, but it's also easy to make, and you can customize it to suit your family's taste buds. So, add this easy baked ziti recipe to your meal plan this week. You won't regret it.
📝 Ingredients you'll need
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations
- Ziti pasta - Ziti pasta works best for this casserole, as the rich tomato sauce will stick well to the pasta.
- Mozzarella cheese - I've found that I get the best cheese melt if I shred the cheese instead of using the store-bought shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Ricotta cheese - Not a fan of ricotta? Cottage cheese can also be used in this great recipe.
- Parmesan cheese - I like to use freshly grated cheese, a blend of Italian cheeses can also be used.
- Garlic cloves - Fresh garlic will give this dish the best flavor, however, you can also use the jarred kind if you have it on hand.
- Black pepper and salt - These simple seasonings add so much flavor to the dish, make sure to season well.
- Olive oil - Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor in your homemade sauce.
- Tomato sauce - You can use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce or make your homemade version.
- Oregano - This will add the perfect touch of Italian flavor to your dish. Italian seasoning can also be used. Check out more Oregano Substitutes.
- Garlic powder - Adds even more garlic flavor to your homemade sauce.
- Onion powder - This powdered dried onion will give your pasta sauce a rich and deep flavor.
- Sugar - Sugar helps to balance out the acid in the tomato sauce.
🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
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- Large pot
- Saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- 13x9 baking dish
- Parchment paper
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🥄 Step by step: instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Cook pasta and make the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, add oil and saute garlic for 30 seconds. Pour tomato sauce over with the rest of the spices. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Turn heat off
- Add ricotta, parmesan cheese, one cup of mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour in two tablespoons of the pasta water and mix until creamy.
- Mix cooked pasta with tomato sauce.
- Spread the mixture in a 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese melts and gets bubbly.
👍 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
- Make sure that you check the package directions for your pasta because you want to cook the pasta just until al dente.
- I like to cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water. Since this is the only time that you have to season the pasta, you don't want to skip this step.
- Don't overcook the garlic, as it can burn quickly. So, don't walk away while it's cooking. As soon as you can smell the garlic it is ready.
🧺 How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Freeze - This delicious pasta bake is freezer-friendly. Just assemble the casserole then wrap it in plastic wrap and foil and store it in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Reheat- Reheat the entire casserole in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until it's hot and bubbly. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes.
⌛ Make Ahead
One great thing about this classic meatless baked ziti is that it's easy to make ahead. Assemble the pasta and rich pasta sauce and then cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking as directed.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- I love to serve a baked pasta dish like this one with a simple green salad like this Fattoush Salad.
- Plus, you can never go wrong with a simple bread side dish like this Air Fryer Garlic Bread.
- Cheese Stuffed Breadsticks would be great to serve along with your meal.
- End this meal with something sweet but light; this Peach Iced Tea is perfect for that.
👩🍳 Variations to make it your own
- Instead of just using mozzarella, you can use different types of cheeses to adjust the flavor.
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley or fresh basil will make a beautiful garnish for this recipe.
- If you want to add some extra vegetables you can saute bell peppers, mushrooms, or even zucchini and then add it to the marinara sauce.
💬 Common questions: FAQs
If you don't have ziti noodles, you can also use penne or rigatoni noodles instead. Any round-shaped pasta will work well.
Yes, I recommend that you cover it while it bakes. This helps to keep the moisture in the casserole and prevents the cheese from drying out.
📣 Related Recipes
- This Mediterranean Baked Bechamel Pasta is an easy comfort food that is made with two layers of pasta with a creamy bechamel sauce in the middle.
- Creamy Pasta Bake is an easy dinner that is loaded with a delicious meat sauce, tender pasta, and a homemade white sauce. Your family will rave about it.
- If you are looking for another meatless meal for your next family gathering, give this Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pasta a try next time.
- Lemon Ricotta Cheese Pasta is a delicious springtime meal for when you are craving light yet flavorful creamy dishes. Best part is, this recipe is done in under 30 minutes!
- Broccoli Pasta is a vibrant, bright side dish to lighten up any meal. Crunchy broccoli and tender pasta all in a creamy lemony sauce.
Let me know in the comments below what is your favorite casserole made of. I love hearing from you.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Meatless Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked ziti pasta
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 1 pound ricotta cheese full fat
- ½ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
For the tomato sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 cans 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoons salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salty water one minute less than package direction. Drain and reserve one cup of pasta water.
- Meanwhile make the sauce:
- In a sauce pan over medium heat, add oil and saute garlic for 30 seconds.
- Pour tomato sauce over with the rest of the spices. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Turn heat off
- When pasta finishes make the ricotta mixture:
- In a large bowl add ricotta, parmesan cheese, one cup of mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour in two tablespoons of the pasta water and mix until creamy.
- Mix cooked pasta with tomato sauce.
- Spread the mixture in a 13x9 baking dish then top with tomatoes sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over, cover with parchment paper then foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and gets bubbly.
Nutrition
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