Meatless Baked Ziti
You will appreciate how absolutely delicious and easy to prepare this baked ziti is. It’s the perfect comfort meal, and you only need a few simple ingredients to make it!
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 11x7-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 11x7-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!
Notes
If you prefer to use whole wheat penne or ziti, make sure to cook just till al dente; according to the package directions.