Indulge in the delectable symphony of flavors that is Vegetarian Baked Ziti, a culinary masterpiece that marries the comforting warmth of pasta with a vibrant array of vegetables and a rich, cheesy sauce. This vegetarian delight features tender ziti noodles enveloped in a creamy, flavorful sauce made from a medley of sautéed vegetables, including bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach. Layers of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses add a golden-brown crust and a gooey, irresistible center that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe also offers variations to suit your dietary preferences, including a gluten-free option and a vegan alternative using plant-based cheese. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.
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BEST VEGETARIAN BAKED ZITI
This recipe is all you need to make an all-star vegetarian baked ziti with ricotta, marinara sauce, and a layer of bright veggies. Perfect weeknight baked pasta, and you can prepare it ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for later. See notes.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Entree
Time 55m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When ready, add the pasta and cook to al dante according to package. When ready, drain pasta but save about 1/2 cup cooking water.
- While the pasta is cooking , cook the vegetables. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions and cook for 3 minutes or so, tossing regularly, then add diced zucchini, bell pepper, and garlic. Raise heat to medium-high and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, tossing regularly, until vegetables have softened and cooked through. Season with kosher salt, oregano and paprika. Sit aside till needed.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/4 cup grated Paremsan and 3 tbsp Mozzarella. Mix well. (If needed, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to help mix the cheese)
- Once the pasta has been cooked and drained, bring it back to the cooking pot. Add 1/2 of the marinara sauce and starchy cooking water you reserved (1/2 cup). Mix well to coat the pasta with the sauce. Fold in the ricotta cheese filling. Mix again to combine, but leave some big "pockets" of the cheese mixture.
- Grab a 9 1/2" x 13" casserole dish. Pour a little marinara sauce to the bottom of the dish, spread. Spread half the pasta. Now add the cooked vegetables and some of the torn basil on top and spread well across the pasta layer. Sprinkle a little bit of shredded mozzarella on top (leave more mozzarella for very top layer.) Add remaining pasta. Spread remaining marinara sauce on top and add remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
- Place the casserole dish on the middle rack of your heated oven. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or so. Remove from heat and let rest about 10 to 15 minutes before cutting through. garnish with fresh basil.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 piece, Calories 299 calories, Sugar 7.6 g, Sodium 681.9 mg, Fat 8.6 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 40.3 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 14.9 g, Cholesterol 18.9 mg
VEGAN BAKED ZITI
This vegan baked ziti is delicious, hearty and has two different plant-based cheeses! It's the perfect comfort food that everyone will love.
Provided by Whitney English
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Prepare the pasta: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the lentils and pasta sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the vegan cheese sauce: Combine all of the ingredients in a high-powered blender and puree until smooth.
- Make the vegan Parmesan cheese: Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor; pulse until flaky. (See Cook's Note)
- Combine the cooked pasta with the pasta sauce and toss to coat.
- Spread half of the pasta in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, then top with half of the cheese sauce. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese sauce. Sprinkle the vegan Parmesan over the top.
- Bake until the top is slightly golden, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped basil and serve.
VEGETARIAN BAKED ZITI
Baked ziti is one of our family favorites; I developed this to serve at dinner when a good friend who is a vegetarian comes over.
Provided by HisHouseCook
Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and salt; stir to combined.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water.
- Mix spaghetti sauce and diced tomatoes together in a medium bowl.
- Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of the prepared casserole. Layer ingredients as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2 of the vegetable mixture, 1/2 of the Parmesan substitute, 1/2 of the mozzarella slices, 1/2 of the remaining sauce, all of the remaining ziti, all of the remaining vegetables, all of the remaining Parmesan substitute, and all of the remaining sauce. Set remaining mozzarella slices aside.
- Cover loosely and bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover, and top with remaining mozzarella slices. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted and slightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes longer.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 389.3 calories, Carbohydrate 47.3 g, Cholesterol 25.7 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 18.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 866.9 mg, Sugar 11.2 g
VEGETARIAN BAKED ZITI
The sauteed onions and garlic are the key to making this dish so delicious. Feel free to add mushrooms or zucchini to the saute pan- just don't add any veggies directly to the baking pan without sauteeing them first or the flavor and texture will suffer.
Provided by Adina Cappell
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 55m
Yield 4 large portions, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook the ziti to just before al dente.
- Coat a 9'x12" baking dish with olive oil. Set aside.
- In a skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Don't let the garlic brown.
- Crush the tomatoes with your hands and add to the skillet. Add in the juice from the can.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes.
- In a large bowl mix the ricotta and mozarella cheeses.
- Add the parsley, basil, oregano, salt, red pepper, a few grinds of pepper, and mix.
- Add the tomato-onion mixture and mix well.
- When the ziti is drained add to the cheese mixture and toss well to coat the pasta.
- Spoon the mixture into the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese on top of the pasta.
- Bake at 400F for 20-30 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 936.8, Fat 40.4, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 89.5, Sodium 725.8, Carbohydrate 102.1, Fiber 6.1, Sugar 7.4, Protein 40.9
VEGETARIAN ITALIAN BAKED ZITI
A long simmered sauce with mushrooms and vegetables flavors this rich, meatless Italian dish. Don't let the cook time fool you--while the sauce is simmering and the ziti is baking, you can relax!
Provided by laura
Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes
Time 3h40m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic; saute until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, parsley, 1 teaspoon oregano, and basil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Oil a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Just before the sauce is finished, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
- Combine cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the Parmesan substitute, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix remaining Parmesan substitute and 1/2 teaspoon oregano in another small bowl.
- Spread 1 cup sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer 1/3 cup ziti, 1 cup sauce, and 1/3 cottage cheese mixture; repeat layers twice more. Top with any remaining sauce, then sprinkle with oregano-Parmesan blend.
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 352.9 calories, Carbohydrate 36.6 g, Cholesterol 36.3 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 7.5 g, Protein 17 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 781 mg, Sugar 9.8 g
VEGETARIAN BAKED ZITI
I was raised on my mother making this dish. I make itnow for my family's weekly Meatless meal because it's so hearty you don't really miss the meat I always use my zippy red sauce recipe but you can use your favorite pasta sauce. for a gret meal serve with my Last garlic bread you'll ever eat and caeser salad with my Low Fat caeser dressing
Provided by GingerlyJ
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 50m
Yield 1 dish, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook ziti until halfway done.
- in oil sautee the onion and pepper and carrot until tender.
- Drain ziti and return to saucepan, adding veggies.
- stir in sauce, ricotta cheese and 1/2 of the mozzerella and parmsean.
- spoon unto a 2 quart baking dish op with remaining cheese.
- Bake 30 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 700.8, Fat 29.6, SaturatedFat 14.7, Cholesterol 80.7, Sodium 1260.5, Carbohydrate 68, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 14.9, Protein 39.9
BAKED ZITI ALFREDO WITH CAJUN CHICKEN
To me this is the ultimate comfort food. The spiciness of the chicken is complemented by the smooth creaminess of the Alfredo sauce. Delicious with a nice glass of white wine.
Provided by Taunte Sara
Categories Pasta Main Dishes
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add chicken, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Saute until chicken is cooked through and beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add bell peppers, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic; cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Add more Parmesan to thicken or more milk to thin to your liking.
- Add cooked pasta to the chicken mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a deep casserole dish. Pour cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.8 calories, Carbohydrate 53.1 g, Cholesterol 70.4 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 6.8 g, Sodium 790.5 mg, Sugar 7.2 g
Tips:
- Use a variety of vegetables to make your baked ziti more flavorful and nutritious. Some good options include zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.
- If you're using a store-bought marinara sauce, be sure to taste it before you add it to the casserole. You may want to add some additional spices or herbs to taste.
- Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Be sure to grease your baking dish before you add the ziti mixture. This will help prevent the casserole from sticking.
- Bake the ziti at a high temperature for the first 15 minutes. This will help to brown the pasta and give it a crispy crust.
- Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to set and make it easier to slice.
Conclusion:
Vegetarian baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. With its combination of pasta, vegetables, cheese, and sauce, baked ziti is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
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