Description
Looking for a cozy, quick dinner idea that pleases a crowd? This Meatless Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, loaded with pasta, gooey mozzarella, rich tomato sauce, and creamy ricotta — all baked to perfection. It’s one of those easy recipes that works great for weeknight meals, vegetarian dinners, or make-ahead food ideas. Whether you’re after a quick bake, a hearty main, or a delicious meat-free dish to share, this easy dinner recipe delivers every time.
Ingredients
1 lb ziti or rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
28 oz crushed tomatoes
15 oz tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley, divided
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: 1 cup chopped spinach
Optional: 1 cup sautéed mushrooms or zucchini
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook another minute.
3. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Season with oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 15–20 minutes. Stir in half of the parsley.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, remaining parsley, and half of the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
5. Toss cooked pasta with two-thirds of the tomato sauce until evenly coated.
6. In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half the pasta, then half the ricotta, and 1 cup of mozzarella.
7. Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, and pour remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
8. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes more. Broil briefly if desired for golden top.
9. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving for clean slices.
Notes
Drain ricotta to avoid watery layers.
Don’t overcook the pasta — it continues baking.
Let the dish rest before slicing for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: easy dinner, vegetarian, baked pasta, meatless recipe, family meal, Italian-American, weeknight dinner