This easy recipe for Meatless Baked Ziti is made with 6 simple ingredients and is ready to eat in less than 1 hour. It's a low effort dinner- just boil the pasta, mix with the sauce and bake!
This is one of those comforting, nostalgic meals that we make on a monthly rotation, especially during the cooler nights of the year. My baked ziti turns out very flavorful and is guaranteed to become a family favorite! It's perfect for holiday dinners or cozy nights in.
Table Of Contents
I make my family baked ziti recipe without meat because my kids don't like the texture it adds to the pasta. Without the beef, this recipe creates noodles baked into a smooth and creamy sauce that is irresistibly delicious.
This hearty dinner is great served with a side of garlic bread or toasted white bread and a side salad or some roasted vegetables like green beans. Casseroles are so simple to prepare and cook that we have one just about every week. I think you'd also like this 25-minute chicken tortellini alfredo casserole.
Why You'll Love Vegetarian Baked Ziti
- It's an easy weeknight meal that never fails to disappoint!
- You won't have a ton of pots and pans to clean up after - just one pot and a casserole dish!
- Kids love it, and you can sneak in their favorite (or least favorite) vegetables.
Ingredients
- Ziti pasta: or use penne pasta, which we tend to do because the kids like the smaller shape compared to ziti.
- Spaghetti sauce: use your favorite homemade recipe or store bought brand for a baked ziti you'll love the most.
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Eggs
Can I Make It Without Egg?
The eggs keep ricotta cheese from becoming grainy and dry when cooked. If you need to make this recipe egg-free, you can leave them out but the texture of the finished dish may be not be as smooth and creamy.
Kristina's Tips
- Use your favorite spaghetti sauce for a flavor that you'll love! We usually use our homemade spaghetti sauce, which you can also make in your slow cooker with a batch of meatballs.
- Add herbs, chopped spinach, or diced vegetables for a heartier vegetarian version.
How To Make Meatless Baked Ziti
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and return ziti to the pot.
- Combine cooked ziti with 4 cups of spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and eggs. Mix well.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and begins to turn golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
How to Store
Store leftover baked ziti in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
This is a great dish to prepare ahead of time and freeze, especially for holiday meals. You can put the entire recipe together, cover with plastic wrap and foil and then bake the day you're going to serve it. You can also cook it before freezing and then reheat the day of serving.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or put the whole casserole dish into the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it's warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.
Recipe
Meatless Baked Ziti
Equipment
- 9x13 inch casserole dish 9x13
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti or penne
- 5 cups spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and return ziti to the pot.
- Combine cooked ziti with 4 cups of spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and eggs. Mix well.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and begins to turn golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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