Vegetarian Baked Ziti

This vegetarian baked ziti is extra cheesy, rich, and comforting with layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara. A perfect meatless dinner idea.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Baked Ziti, baked ziti recipes, meatless main dishes, vegetarian casserole recipes, vegetarian pasta recipes, vegetarian recipes

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 646kcal

Author Kathleen

Arrange an oven rack to the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F (177ºC) degrees.
Butter a piece of foil, long enough to cover 9X13 inch baking dish, on one side, or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Pour 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9X13 inch baking dish.
Cook ziti (16 ounces) according to box instructions, in water with 2 tablespoons of salt, until not quite al dente, (I cooked for 7 minutes). Drain pasta well. Dry pasta pot.
Return the well-drained ziti to the empty pasta pot and toss with all the remaining marinara sauce, and (1 tablespoon) dried Italian seasoning.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together ricotta cheese (24 ounces), 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella, 1 cup parmesan, beaten egg (2), fresh basil (1 cup), the remaining 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, dried rosemary (1 1/2 teaspoons), nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon), salt (1/2 teaspoon) and pepper (1/2 teaspoon) until well combined; set aside.
Layer half the sauce coated pasta in the prepared baking dish.
Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer.
Top with remaining half of pasta then cover with prepared foil, butter side down on top of pasta. Bake until heated through and bubbly, about 35-40 minutes.
Remove from oven and remove foil. Sprinkle top with remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella then 1 cup of parmesan. Return to oven and continue to bake until cheese is completely melted and golden brown. Let sit for 10-12 minutes before serving.

Cook the pasta just under al dente. Since the ziti bakes in the oven too, boiling it just shy of al dente keeps it from turning too soft. Once baked, it should be perfectly tender.
Use a high-quality marinara sauce. With no meat in this version, the sauce plays a big role in the overall flavor. Use one you love or a homemade version for the best results.
Drain vegetables well before adding. If you add spinach or other vegetables, make sure they’re very well drained so the sauce doesn’t become watery.
Use freshly shredded cheese when possible. Pre-shredded cheese works, but freshly shredded melts more smoothly and gives you that creamy, gooey texture.
Let it rest before serving. Giving the baked ziti about 10 minutes to rest helps it set up so it slices and scoops cleanly instead of falling apart.