Description
This Meatless Baked Ziti is a comforting and hearty Italian-American casserole featuring pasta baked with marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, it combines tender pasta with layers of cheesy sauce and fresh herbs, delivering a rich and satisfying vegetarian dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz ziti or rigatoni pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the ziti.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Garlic (Optional): In a small pan, heat olive oil on medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh basil or parsley. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Layer Sauce in Dish: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into a large bowl, mix it with the remaining marinara sauce until well coated.
- First Layer: Place half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish, then evenly spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta.
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the ricotta layer.
- Second Layer: Repeat with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese to create a layered casserole.
- Top with Parmesan: Finish by sprinkling the remaining grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with extra chopped fresh herbs for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute ricotta and mozzarella with plant-based cheeses and use a flax egg instead of the egg.
- Adding sautéed garlic in olive oil is optional but enhances depth of flavor.
- If you prefer a crispier top, broil the baked ziti for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; increase covered baking time by 10 minutes if baking from cold.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for vibrant flavor, but dried herbs can work in a pinch.
