Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
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Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
Looking for an easy weeknight dinner? Look no further than this Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella. Packed with bold, savory flavors, this vegetarian pasta bake is a classic recipe that's perfect for the whole family. With creamy ricotta, roasted herb tomatoes, chunks of kale, and a well-seasoned tomato sauce, all topped with melty Mozzarella cheese. It's a simple yet satisfying, easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love! Make ahead + Gluten-Free option.
Why Meatless Baked Ziti?
Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella-------I love pasta dishes, especially pasta bakes like this Spicy Pumpkin Pasta Bake or another favorite, the Pesto Pasta Bake. Honestly, they are the perfect lazy meal during the week or on weekends.
This meatless baked ziti is truly something delicious. This vegetarian pasta bake is truly amazing. Nothing short of flavor, and it’s even perfect when reheated! So, these quick, easy meals come in really handy, especially on those days!
Of course, you can always search ‘weeknight meals‘ on my site for more deliciousness.
Jump to:
- Why Meatless Baked Ziti?
- What Is Baked Ziti?
- How to Make Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
- Ingredients
- WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BAKED ZITI PASTA!
- SECRET TO A CREAMY FILLING?
- How to Make Herb-Roasted Tomatoes
- Adding Protein to this Meatless Baked Ziti
- Why Use Herb Roasted Tomatoes?
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Vegetarian Pasta Bake With?
- Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella Q + A's
- My Fave Meatless Comfort Food Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
What Is Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti (Aka Penne) is a flavorful and satisfying dish that falls under the category of a vegetarian pasta bake, making it an excellent choice for an easy weeknight dinner. It typically consists of cooked ziti pasta combined with a variety of ingredients. The mixture is then layered in a baking dish, topped with cheese, and baked in the oven until golden and bubbly. This hearty and versatile dish is loved for its simplicity, delicious taste, and ability to please both kids and adults alike.
How to Make Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
You'll toss your cooked pasta with the 'meat' sauce and plenty of cheese in a baking dish and bake until everything is gooey and warm, with a crisp crust on top.
Ingredients
- Dried Ziti Pasta – This is the traditional pasta used. However, you can always substitute with rigatoni pasta for an extra bite
- Mozzarella Cheese – Makes things nice + creamy; plus, adds such rich cheesy flavor.
- Roasted tomatoes – Adds great texture and extra tomato-y flavor to the dish
- Kale – Adds great earthy flavor to everything
- Herbs + Seasonings – A great addition of flavor. Adds such savoriness nice + a beautiful kick of spice
- Tomato Sauce – Can be homemade or store-bought. Always add seasoning to enhance the taste.
- Ricotta Cheese – Adds such a creaminess to everything
- Veggie Stock– Helps to add extra flavor and creaminess
- Olive Oil – Used for cooking
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BAKED ZITI PASTA!
- Bold flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
- A hearty filling vegetarian dish.
- Easy weeknight meal--Simple preparation + minimal ingredients
- Versatile and customizable
- A crowd-pleasing combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
- It’s absolutely delicious----creamy + velvety!
SECRET TO A CREAMY FILLING?
The ricotta mixture. Simple! In order to ensure that your filling for the pasta bake is smooth and creamy, you must ensure that your ricotta mixture is nice in velvety.
Since ricotta cheese usually comes out a bit thick, the trick to the ultimate creaminess is in mixing in a bit of the boiled pasta water. Yup. You’ve read right. A few Tbsps of boiled pasta water loosens things up nicely and creates a nice smooth texture.
Since we’re on the topic of pasta—-I figured that you would really love the following Vegetarian pasta dishes, Lemon Brown Butter Pasta, The Best Vegan Meat Sauce + Gnocchi, and my personal favorite Copycat Broccoli Mac + Cheese.
How to Make Herb-Roasted Tomatoes
The key to this recipe is to start with great-quality tomatoes. Choose a mix of large + cherries and several different colors if you can find them.
INGREDIENTS
- Tomatoes. You can add as many tomatoes as will fit on your baking sheet.
- Olive oil. Don’t skimp on the oil! It helps concentrate the tomato flavor and makes a nice jammy texture. You can use these roasted tomatoes like a dressing or sauce. Dried herbs. I like a mixture of Italian herbs like oregano, basil and parsley. But you can mix up the seasonings with other fresh or dried herbs. Thyme, rosemary, marjoram and tarragon are all delicious with tomatoes.
- Spices. Likewise, feel free to play with different spices in your roasted tomatoes. I like paprika, garlic powder and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick.
Adding Protein to this Meatless Baked Ziti
If you'd like to add protein to this Pasta Bake, it's easy to do, regardless of your diet!
Plant-based protein options:
- Crispy seared or baked tofu cubes
- Crumbled stir-fried seitan
- Crumble vegan bacon on top
- Sautéed cauliflower florets or broccoli
- Sautéed asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.
Non-vegan protein options:
If you want to skip the 'meatless' part of this dish feel free to add-
- Chicken (breast sliced)
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Beef
Why Use Herb Roasted Tomatoes?
When it comes to herb-roasted tomatoes, you're in for a treat. These delightful morsels are not only quick and easy to make in the oven but also offer a depth of savory, umami flavor that is truly irresistible. The roasting process intensifies their natural sweetness and savory notes while the infusion of herbs adds a delightful aromatic touch-- A completely delicious addition to your easy weeknight dinner!
SHOP MY FAVORITE BAKEWARE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THIS ZITI PASTA BAKE
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella. Everything from my fave Dutch pot/oven, wooden spoons, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Vegetarian Pasta Bake With?
When it comes to serving this mouthwatering Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella, there are some options that will truly elevate your meal. First off, don't forget to have some crusty bread on hand. I love this homemade Vegan Garlic Herb Kale Bread. Trust me; you'll want to dip it into that luscious, saucy goodness. If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Roasted Cauliflower Green Goddess Salad or this Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy weeknight dinner beautifully.
But here's the thing. This Meatless Baked Ziti is so darn amazing that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the roasted juicy, jammy tomato aromatic sauce + luscious creamy ricotta —everything is just bursting with flavor. So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella Q + A's
Yes, simply just swap out the Ziti pasta with Gluten-free Ziti/Penne pasta!
Absolutely! Cook your pasta and let it cool completely before storing in an air-tight refrigerator for 3-5 days. In a bowl, combine your ricotta, parmesan, and kale and place in an air tight container to refrigerate overnight as well. Follow steps to cook tomato sauce and after STEP 4, remove sauce from heat, let cool and store in the fridge the day before. On the day of, remove everything to room temp., about 15-20 minutes and continue assembly STEPS.
Any leftovers of this easy weeknight dinner can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply heat in the oven for the best results or microwave for a minute or two until heated through.
My Fave Meatless Comfort Food Recipes
- Easy Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
- Simple Walnut Pesto Bucatini Pasta
- Kale Pesto Pizza
- Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites
- Baked Sticky Orange Cauliflower + Quinoa
- Spiced Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you make these Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella, be sure to tag me on Instagram @orchidsandsweettea!
Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) box Ziti or Rigatoni pasta, organic
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil + 1 tablespoon for cooking
- 4 cups shredded organic mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups organic ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Roasted herb tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped kale, fresh or frozen
FILLING/TOMATO SAUCE:
- 2 cups organic tomato sauce
- ¼ cup organic vegetable stock
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt + black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- pinch of red papper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a standard baking dish----about 9x13.
ROAST THE TOMATOES:
- To roast your tomatoes, follow the instructions of my Herb roasted tomatoes recipe.
BOIL THE PASTA:
- Cook pasta according to packaging. NOTE: ziti or rigatoni pasta doesn’t take a long time to cook, usually 10-13 minutes. NOTE: I always add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water to prevent pasta from sticking together.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl add ricotta cheese and a few Tbsps (2-3 at most) of pasta water and stir using a spatula until smooth. Fold in the kale.
COOK THE TOMATO SAUCE:
- In a large 12-inch skillet, add the olive oil and add minced garlic sauté frequently about 1-2 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce, veggie stock, salt, black pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper, stirring everything together until combined. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to low, allowing it to simmer in the sauce for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add drained cooked pasta and gently stir until everything is combined and pasta is covered with sauce.
ASSEMBLY:
- In the baking dish, add in the pasta (covered in tomato sauce), spreading it evenly. Spoon on the ricotta cheese mixture and stir until combined. Sprinkle a nice layer of mozzarella cheese atop pasta followed by roasted tomatoes. Then a final layer of mozzarella cheese until the entire pasta is covered.
- Loosely cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil paper and bake for another 10-15 minutes or so, until cheese has fully melted and the top is browned slightly.
- Remove from oven and serve with your favorite salad or bread.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply heat in the oven for the best results or microwave for a minute or two until heated through.
- GLUTEN-FREE: To make this dish GF, simply use Gluten-Free pasta and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly.
- MAKE AHEAD: Cook your pasta and let it cool completely before storing in an air-tight refrigerator for 3-5 days. In a bowl, combine your ricotta, parmesan, and kale and place in an air tight container to refrigerate overnight as well. Follow steps to cook tomato sauce and after STEP 4, remove sauce from heat, let cool and store in the fridge the day before. On the day of, remove everything to room temp., about 15-20 minutes and continue assembly STEPS.
Nutrition
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LET US KNOW!
This pasta bake totally hits the spots. It is not only meatless but also looks so delicious and comforting.
Sooooo ready to give it a shot! I have all the ingredients and i cannot wait to indulge
This is so good, you don't even miss the meat!
This recipe is perfect to implement into our 'meatless Monday" rotation. You hardly miss the meats at all- as all of the other flavors are so robust. So happy I came across this one!
Love baked pasta dishes!! SO easy and always so good!!
This looks absolutely yummy! I love that it’s meatless!
Thanks so much, Christy! It's SO GOOD!
I love a good pasta and this recipe looks delicious!
I need this in my life!! I've been trying to incorporate more meatless recipes in my daily routine. Thank you for this!
Girl you put your WHOLE foot in this recipe!!
Such a flavorful pasta dish! I love that it is meatless! My family will love this
I really loved making our Monday meals meatless, so this is definitely going on next week's menu.
My pantry is stocked with plenty of pasta, so I can't wait to make this ziti this week. Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing! I know my family would love this. Pinning for later!
This pasta is so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
I'm glad this is meatless. I'm saving the recipe to try out next week for lunch.
WOW this ziti looks so delicious and comforting! I need to make this for my family, they would love it!