Description
This Meatless Baked Ziti is the ultimate quick dinner idea for busy weeknights or when you’re craving serious comfort food. It’s cheesy, saucy, bubbling with flavor, and completely vegetarian. Made with tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and layers of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan, it’s an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will devour. Whether you’re looking for healthy snack options, easy dinner ideas, or a meat-free classic that doesn’t sacrifice flavor — this baked ziti delivers every time.
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. If making sauce from scratch, sauté garlic (and onion if using) in olive oil. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and simmer for 15–20 minutes. Stir in basil.
4. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with most of the marinara sauce, reserving some for the top.
5. In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer pasta, spoonfuls of ricotta (if using), mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat layers, topping with sauce and remaining cheeses.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
7. Let rest for 5–10 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Slightly undercook your pasta to avoid mushy texture after baking.
Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add amazing freshness — don’t skip them!
Let the dish rest before cutting to keep the layers intact and easy to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, vegetarian, baked pasta, meatless dinner