This meatless baked ziti is insanely delicious to the point that no one will probably notice that it’s even meatless. And the addition of ricotta cheese makes it even more so.
For equally delicious baked pasta options, do check out this amazing lazy baked pasta with tuna recipe. Or this vegetarian baked spaghetti recipe.
As you can see, pasta is one of my favorite foods. I’m sure it’s one of your favorites as well. It’s one of the most popular comfort foods around beside lasagna or other similar dishes.
Now back to this baked ziti! I’m actually quite excited to share this recipe with you all, as you can probably tell – lol.
Super Easy to Make
First of all, I created this baked ziti recipe to be completely easy to make. You only have to boil the ziti to al dente, then combine it with most of the other ingredients in a greased baking dish before baking. Too easy!
It’s simply a short no-fuss way to make an absolutely tasty pan of baked ziti for your family/friends. Nothing more. Which makes it possible for almost anyone to make.
This meatless baked ziti can even be served at a gathering or other function if you don’t have a large family. And let me tell you – the leftovers taste even more delicious..
Why Meatless?
Don’t get me wrong. This baked ziti doesn’t contain any meat. But you can definitely add some protein such as ground beef, ground turkey, etc. if you’d like.
I chose to make it meatless because it takes more time to brown ground beef or cook up another protein to add to it. Especially when you want to get dinner on the table within a certain time. Honestly, it tastes great as is.
On the other hand, you can easily add some fresh baby spinach in with the pasta before baking it. The great thing about spinach, is that it doesn’t take long to cook at all.
It will bake easily into the baked ziti. And make it even more nutritious. You can also use whole-wheat pasta instead of regular if you’d like. Unfortunately, there are no whole-wheat ziti options that I’ve seen in the grocery stores or online. But you can substitute whole-wheat penne pasta instead, as it’s almost a similar size to ziti. Just make sure to cook just until al dente.
About the Ricotta..
The ricotta cheese adds such a creamy texture to this baked ziti. But not everyone is a fan of ricotta cheese, I know. Fortunately, there’s almost always a substitute for an certain ingredient.
In this case, you can substitute cottage cheese instead. It’s lesser in calories than ricotta cheese, and has a similar texture. Just make sure to use the small curd kind.
If you’re vegan, or don’t eat dairy; you can leave the ricotta out completely. Or you can use a plant-based non-dairy ricotta like that from Kite Hill. It can be located in most grocery stores, or you can order it online through Amazon.
Meatless Baked Ziti Ingredients:
Fortunately, you only need a minimal amount of ingredients to make this meatless baked ziti. Actually, just a few..
Ziti (or Penne) Pasta (16 ounces needed) – As mentioned earlier, you can use regular or whole-wheat penne instead. Oh yes, make sure you cook the pasta ‘al dente‘. I found 8 minutes to be the perfect cooking time.
This way, the ziti will be the perfect texture, and not overcooked and mushy, since it’s being baked later on.
2 Cups of Marinara Sauce – You don’t have to stick to using marinara sauce. You can use whatever sauce you prefer. Or if you’d like, you can make your own sauce. Just make sure that the amount is around 2 cups to properly coat the pasta. If you prefer a saucier baked pasta. just use a full 24 oz jar of sauce or if you prefer to make your own of that amount.
Ricotta Cheese – You can use regular full-fat ricotta cheese or low-fat depending on your dietary needs. And if you’re vegan, you don’t have to miss out. Just sub a vegan ricotta alternative.
Mozzarella Cheese – As with the mozzarella cheese, you can use full or low-fat. And there are a few shredded vegan mozzarella alternatives available also, for vegans. Or if you’re on a dairy-restricted diet.
Besides these main ingredients, there are just a few more simple ingredients that are needed. They include parmesan cheese and a little salt to taste.
As with the other cheeses, there are also vegan versions of parmesan cheese available.
You can also top the ziti with freshly chopped parsley before serving. And it adds a pretty pop of color to it (the ziti).
Even More Main Dish Recipes to Check Out
Thanks For Stopping By..
Before I go, I’d like to thank each and every one of you who have tried any of my recipes.
I’d appreciate any questions or comments about this meatless baked ziti recipe. Feel free to mention them in the comment section below. Thank you!
Meatless Baked Ziti
Equipment
- 11 x 7 inch Baking Dish *a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan or a 10 inch oven safe skillet will work also*
- Colander to drain the pasta
- Measuring cup and spoons
Ingredients
- 10 ounces dry ziti or penne pasta approx. 2 1/2 cups
- 2 cups marinara sauce can use a full 24 ounce jar for a saucier dish
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese dairy or non-dairy
- 1 1/2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese or vegan substitute
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder optional
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano optional
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (dairy or nondairy)
- 1 tsp extra parmesan cheese for dusting over the top
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease an 11×7-inch square baking dish with a bit of avocado oil or nonstick spray and set aside.
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil on your stove. Add your 2 1/2 cups of dry ziti or penne noodles and cook at a high boil till al dente (per the package instructions). Drain the pasta completely into a colander and set aside. (Tip: Stir the pasta every so often while boiling so the noodles won't stick to the bottom of the pot!)
- Mix and warm the sauce: In a medium pot on the stovetop over low heat, combine your marinara sauce, 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt, and the 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano if you are using them. Stir until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and completely combined, then let it warm through for a few minutes.
- Combine in the baking pan: Add your drained ziti noodles directly into your greased 11×7-inch baking pan. Pour the warm, seasoned tomato-ricotta sauce mixture right over the noodles and stir gently until all of the pasta is completely coated with the sauce. Smooth the pasta down into a flat layer.
- Add the cheesy topping: Sprinkle your 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the entire surface of the ziti mixture. Finish by sprinkling your 1 teaspoon of extra parmesan cheese lightly over the top of the mozzarella for a gorgeous, professional finish.
- Bake to a bubble: Loosely cover the baking pan with a sheet of aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil from the pan and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until the sauce is bubbling around the edges, the center is heated through, and the cheese layer is fully melted and golden brown. Serve hot with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley if desired!
