Description
Delight in the comforting flavors of meatless baked ziti, a cheesy pasta dish that’s perfect for cozy nights. With layers of tender ziti, creamy ricotta, and savory marinara sauce topped with melty mozzarella, this crowd-pleaser is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Ideal for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this recipe guarantees seconds and smiles around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook ziti until al dente (8-10 minutes), then drain.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant (1 minute).
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and half of the mozzarella; mix until creamy.
- In a baking dish, layer marinara sauce, half of the ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and spinach/kale. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg