Easy Meatless Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
475 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Easy Meatless Baked Ziti
Description
This recipe blends cooked ziti pasta with rich ricotta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasonings, enhanced by eggs to bind the mixture. The pasta mixture is layered in a baking dish with tomato sauce, then topped with remaining cheeses before baking at 350°F until the sauce bubbles and cheese melts with a slight browning on top.
The resulting baked ziti has a creamy cheese mixture coating tender pasta, with a robust tomato flavor balanced by herbs. The melted cheese on top adds a lightly crusted layer offering varied textures in each bite.
Serving this dish warm makes for a hearty vegetarian main course suitable alongside a salad or garlic bread. It also freezes well once assembled; after preparing, cover and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking or bake from frozen with additional time. Letting it sit for a few minutes after baking helps it set for easier serving.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 32 ounces tomato sauce
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided in half
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese divided in half
- 2 egg
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Cook the penne pasta according to package directions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander.
- In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ½ cup parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic, parsley and Italian seasoning to a large bowl and stir to combine well.
- In a 9x13 baking dish, add half of the sauce and spread evenly all around the dish.
- Add the cooked/ drained pasta to cheese mixture and toss well to coat
- Add the pasta mixture to the baking dish spread evenly.
- Top with remaining sauce, then the other 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and slightly brown.
- Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes
Notes
- This dish can also be made with rotini or rigatoni pasta if preferred.
- The assembled casserole freezes well for up to 2 months when properly wrapped.
- When baking from frozen, add 15 minutes to the baking time and remove plastic wrap before baking.
- Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes post-baking for easier slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 475 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 475kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 96mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1036mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 622mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1087IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 528mg | 53% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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