Description
This Meatless Baked Ziti is a hearty and comforting vegetarian pasta bake, perfect for easy dinners, quick make-ahead meals, or delicious leftovers. Made with tender pasta, rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and layers of gooey mozzarella and parmesan, it’s a classic Italian-American comfort dish that requires no meat to impress. Ideal for quick dinner ideas, healthy snacks, or easy recipe inspiration for the whole family.
Ingredients
12 oz ziti or rigatoni pasta
3 cups marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in chopped fresh herbs if using.
5. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce. Add half the pasta, spoon dollops of ricotta mixture, sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan, and repeat the layers.
6. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and browned.
8. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with more herbs if desired.
Notes
Slightly undercook the pasta to prevent it from becoming too soft after baking.
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Let the dish rest before serving to allow the layers to set nicely.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: quick dinner, vegetarian recipe, easy baked pasta, meatless ziti, healthy dinner ideas