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–+ servings
Baked Ziti

Creamy Baked Ziti That'll Steal the Show at Dinner

This Easy Vegetarian Baked Ziti is a crowd-pleasing dish featuring layers of pasta, marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella, perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 4 cups Marinara Sauce Can substitute with homemade sauce.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Cloves Alternatively, use 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano Triple the amount if using fresh.
  • 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Adjust to taste or omit.
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt Regular table salt can be used.
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper Adjust to taste.
For the Filling
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese Can substitute with cottage cheese.
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Zest Omit if unavailable.
  • 3 cups Fresh Spinach Kale or Swiss chard can be used.
For the Pasta
  • 1 lb Ziti Pasta Can substitute with penne or gluten-free.
  • 1 tbsp Extra-virgin Olive Oil Drizzle on top before baking.
For the Topping
  • 2 cups Grated Mozzarella Cheese Provolone can be used for different flavor.
  • 1 cup Grated Pecorino or Parmesan Cheese Nutritional yeast can be used for vegan option.
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley/Basil Optional for garnish.

Equipment

  • baking dish

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Bring salted water to a boil and cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Combine ricotta cheese, minced garlic, lemon zest, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
  4. Sauté fresh spinach in olive oil until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Chop coarsely before mixing into the ricotta mixture.
  5. Combine drained pasta, ricotta mixture, sautéed spinach, and marinara sauce in a mixing bowl. Fold gently until well combined.
  6. Grease your baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, add marinara sauce, and dollops of ricotta mixture. Repeat layers.
  7. Sprinkle grated mozzarella and pecorino or parmesan cheese on top, and drizzle more olive oil if desired.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbling.
  9. Let sit for a few minutes to set, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge overnight before baking.

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