🍝 Vegetarian Baked Ziti

Vegetarian Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole filled with tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and vegetables. It’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.

Prep Time

• Prep: 25 minutes
• Bake: 30–35 minutes
• Total: About 1 hour

Servings

8 servings

Ingredients

Pasta & Sauce

• 1 lb (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz/410 g) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cheese Filling

• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Topping

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Cook ziti until just al dente (about 2 minutes less than package instructions).
4. Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Vegetable Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
2. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until softened.
3. Add garlic, mushrooms, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Make the Ricotta Mixture

1. Combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix until smooth.

4. Assemble the Ziti

1. Toss cooked pasta with about ¾ of the vegetable sauce.
2. Spread half the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Add spoonfuls of ricotta mixture over the pasta.
4. Add remaining pasta and sauce.
5. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.

5. Bake

1. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
2. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
3. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• 🥗 Italian green salad
• 🥖 Garlic bread
• 🍅 Caprese salad
• 🥦 Roasted vegetables

Variations

Spinach & Ricotta Ziti

Add:

• 3 cups fresh spinach (wilted)
• Extra Parmesan

High-Protein Vegetarian Ziti

Add:

• Lentils
• White beans
• Plant-based crumbles

Creamy Baked Ziti

Add:

• A splash of heavy cream to the sauce
• Extra mozzarella

Storage

• Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked ziti for up to 3 months.
• Reheat covered at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Tips

• Slightly undercook pasta before baking so it doesn’t become mushy.
• Let the baked ziti rest before cutting for cleaner slices.
• Use a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan for the best cheesy flavor.
• Make it ahead and refrigerate overnight for an easy next-day dinner.