Vegetarian Baked Ziti

This amazing vegetarian baked ziti is perfect for busy families who want a hearty, satisfying dinner that everyone will love. You’ll get all the comfort food vibes with tender roasted vegetables, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta in every single bite!

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 40 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, Serves: 8 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Soy-Free, Vegetarian, High-Protein, Egg-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 470 Calories, 17g Fat, 55g Carbs, 22g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cauliflower: You’ll need 1 medium head cut into small florets, which gives you about 4 cups. I love how cauliflower adds amazing texture and soaks up all those wonderful flavors!

Zucchini: One medium zucchini cut into small cubes works perfectly here. It adds such a nice fresh taste and beautiful color to the dish.

Red Bell Pepper: One medium red bell pepper cut into small cubes brings sweetness and that gorgeous red color. You can use any color bell pepper you have on hand!

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Just 2 tablespoons to help those vegetables roast to perfection. This creates the most amazing caramelized flavors.

Dried Oregano: One teaspoon adds that classic Italian herb flavor we all love in pasta dishes.

Salt: You’ll need ¾ teaspoon total, divided throughout the recipe. This helps bring out all the natural flavors.

Ground Pepper: ½ teaspoon divided adds just the right amount of warmth and spice.

Ziti Pasta: One pound of ziti is perfect for this recipe. The tube shape holds onto all that delicious sauce and cheese!

Marinara Sauce: One 24-ounce jar of lower-sodium marinara keeps things healthy while still tasting amazing.

Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese: One cup adds that creamy, rich texture we all crave in baked ziti.

Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup brings that sharp, nutty flavor that makes everything taste better.

Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley: ¼ cup chopped adds beautiful color and fresh herb flavor.

Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups of shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella creates that perfect melty, golden top we all love!

How to Make Vegetarian Baked Ziti

Step 1: Position your oven rack in the lower third and preheat to 450°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Toss cauliflower, zucchini, bell pepper, oil and oregano together in a large bowl. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper, then toss again to mix everything evenly.

Step 3: Spread the vegetable mixture in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast the vegetables until slightly charred and tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside, but don’t turn the oven off!

Step 4: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the ziti and transfer to a large heatproof bowl.

Step 5: Add the roasted vegetables, marinara and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the ziti. Toss well to coat everything in that delicious sauce. Spread the mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Stir ricotta, Parmesan and parsley together in a small bowl until well combined. Add spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture to the pasta mixture and gently stir to loosely combine. Don’t overmix – you want pockets of creamy goodness!

Step 7: Sprinkle the mixture evenly with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 450°F until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly browned, about 25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving so it sets up perfectly.

Easy and Quick Vegetarian Baked Ziti Version

Want to save some time? You can totally skip the roasting step and use 4 cups of frozen mixed vegetables instead! Just thaw them completely and pat dry with paper towels. Mix them right in with the cooked pasta and sauce. You’ll still get amazing flavor, and dinner will be ready even faster. This shortcut version takes about 30 minutes off your total cooking time!

Serving Ideas

This hearty baked ziti is a complete meal all on its own! Serve it with a simple green salad with Italian dressing and some crusty garlic bread. A glass of your favorite red wine makes it feel extra special for date night or entertaining friends.

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Substitutions

Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, or eggplant. You can use any short pasta shape like penne or rigatoni instead of ziti. For a lighter version, try using part-skim mozzarella or reduce the cheese by half. Greek yogurt can replace some of the ricotta if you want extra protein!

Pro Tips

• Perfect Vegetables: Cut all your vegetables the same size so they cook evenly. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet!
• Pasta Secret: Cook your pasta just until al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Cheese Magic: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking so the cheese sets up and doesn’t slide off when you serve it.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble this completely and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 10 extra minutes to the baking time.

FAQs

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You bet! You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking. Just cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed, adding about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time.

What other vegetables work well in this recipe?

Sure! Broccoli, mushrooms, eggplant, yellow squash, or cherry tomatoes all work wonderfully. Just keep the pieces small and uniform so they cook evenly. You’ll want about 4-5 cups total of chopped vegetables.

Can I freeze this baked ziti?

Absolutely! This freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. You can freeze it before or after baking. If freezing before baking, thaw completely in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed. If freezing after baking, thaw overnight and reheat covered at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

How do I know when it’s done baking?

You’ll know it’s perfect when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top. The edges should be bubbling, and a knife inserted in the center should come out hot. If the top browns too quickly, just cover with foil for the remaining baking time.

I hope your family loves this comforting vegetarian baked ziti as much as mine does! Let me know in the comments how it turned out for you, and don’t forget to share any fun variations you tried. Happy cooking, friends!