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Vegetarian Baked Ziti

Delicious Vegetarian Baked Ziti for Cozy Family Dinners

Try this comforting Vegetarian Baked Ziti, a delicious blend of al dente pasta, creamy cheeses, and homemade sauce for a perfect dinner!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 box Dried Ziti Pasta Cook until al dente
For the Cheeses
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese Can use dairy-free ricotta for vegan option
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded) Consider using dairy-free mozzarella if needed
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated) Ensure it's rennet-free for vegetarian diets
For the Sauce
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion (Diced) Sautéed for sweetness
  • 3 cloves Garlic (Minced) Infuses depth
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes The cornerstone of the sauce
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp Dried Parsley
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter Feel free to omit for lighter version

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large Pot
  • sauté pan
  • 9x13 Baking Dish

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Vegetarian Baked Ziti
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Gather all ingredients and equipment for assembling.
  2. In a sauté pan, heat olive oil and add the onion and garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes until translucent.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, salt, and pepper; cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, parsley, thyme, and butter. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Boil salted water. Cook the ziti according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
  5. Mix 1 cup of sauce with the cooked ziti.
  6. In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella until blended.
  7. Layer sauce, half ziti mixture, half ricotta mixture in a greased baking dish. Repeat and finish with sauce.
  8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.
  9. Switch to broil for 5 more minutes until golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding pre-cooked veggies like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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