Meatless Baked Ziti
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
423 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Meatless Baked Ziti
Description
This baked ziti recipe begins with a sauce of olive oil sautéed onion and carrot softened before adding garlic and a tomato passata base seasoned with dried Italian herbs, oregano, fennel, garlic and onion powders, sugar, salt, and pepper. The sauce simmers gently to develop depth.
Ziti pasta is cooked just below package time, then combined with the sauce and reserved pasta water to maintain moisture and meld textures. Cheese layers include creamy ricotta mixed into the pasta and shredded mozzarella and Parmesan sprinkled on top to achieve a melted, golden crust when baked at 350°F (180°C).
The resulting dish offers tender pasta enveloped in a rich tomato sauce with complex herb flavors and a satisfying cheese topping. It serves as a vegetarian main course or a hearty side dish.
Passata provides a smooth, pureed tomato base different from thicker tomato paste. Using whole-milk ricotta ensures optimal creaminess. Various pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or spirals can substitute ziti as desired.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 24 oz tomato passata see note 1, or marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon fennel ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the pasta
- 10 oz ziti pasta - see note 2
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup ricotta cheese see note 3
- 1½ cup mozzarella cheese see note 4, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese see note 4, shredded
- parsley optional, or basil, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
Make the Sauce
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook for 3-4 minutes or until translucent.1 tbsp olive oil1 onion, finely chopped1 carrot, finely chopped
- Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds before adding the passata and seasonings.4 cloves garlic, minced24 oz tomato passata/marinara sauce2 tsp dried Italian herb1 tsp oregano1 tsp sugar1 tsp ground fennel1 tsp garlic powder2 tsp onion powder1 tsp salt½ tsp black pepper
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook on low while you cook the pasta.
Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the salt, and cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the packet suggests.10 oz ziti pasta1 tbsp salt
- Reserve ⅓ cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta and return to the pan.
Assemble the Dish
- Pour 2 cups of the sauce into the pasta, along with the reserved pasta cooking water, and stir gently to combine.
- Spread the pasta into a baking dish (23x33cm / 9×13").
- Spoon the ricotta over the pasta and then pour over the remaining sauce. Top with the mozzarella and parmesan.1 cup ricotta1½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese½ cup shredded parmesan
- Bake for 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving (optional) parsley or basil to garnish
Notes
- Passata is pureed tomato, thicker than canned tomatoes; marinara sauce may be used as a substitute.
- Ziti can be replaced with penne, rigatoni, spirals, or cavatappi based on preference.
- Use creamy whole-milk ricotta for best texture; low-fat versions may be dry.
- Freshly shredding mozzarella and Parmesan cheese improves melting and flavor over pre-shredded varieties.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 423 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 423kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 2488mg | 104% |
| Potassium | 616mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 2615IU | 52% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 408mg | 41% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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