Description
Hearty Meatless Baked Ziti delivers Italian comfort without meat, blending rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella in a casserole that satisfies plant-based cravings. Pasta lovers will savor each cheesy, herb-infused bite of this classic Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) ziti or short pasta like penne or mostaccioli
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara or spaghetti sauce (any brand, or homemade)
- 14 ounces (397 grams) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Dairy Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) softened cream cheese
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream (regular or low fat), ricotta, or cottage cheese
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until it reaches al dente texture, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain the pasta in a colander, shaking off excess water.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine marinara sauce, canned diced tomatoes, softened cream cheese, dried Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated, with no visible cream cheese lumps.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated without breaking the noodles.
- Transfer half of the sauced pasta into the prepared casserole dish, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Spread a uniform layer of sour cream or ricotta cheese over the pasta, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture as the second layer, covering the cheese completely.
- Top the final layer with an additional generous helping of shredded cheese, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Place the uncovered casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese has melted into a golden, slightly crispy surface.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Discover a comforting, cheesy pasta dish that’s completely vegetarian and bursting with Italian-inspired flavors.
- Prep this hearty casserole in under an hour for a satisfying meal that’ll impress family and friends.
- Creamy sauce combines classic marinara with rich cream cheese, creating a luxurious texture that makes every bite memorable.
- Flexible recipe allows for easy ingredient swaps like using cottage cheese instead of sour cream or trying different pasta shapes.
- Make-ahead friendly dish that reheats beautifully, perfect for meal prep or feeding a hungry crowd with minimal kitchen effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg