Easy Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe with Ricotta Cheese
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Easy Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe with Ricotta Cheese combines tender ziti, creamy whole-milk ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano, and homemade tomato sauce in a bubbling baked pasta dish. The pasta stays tender as it bakes while the ricotta mixture creates a creamy center and the cheese on top turns golden and bubbly. Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s a hearty meatless meal for family dinners and gatherings.
You may also like Italian Sausage Baked Ziti and Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina (Baked Gnocchi).
Quick Look: Easy Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe with Ricotta Cheese
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, can be made gluten-free
- Method: Stovetop pasta + oven bake
- Technique: Cook the ziti just shy of al dente, combine it with the ricotta cheese mixture and tomato sauce, layer with mozzarella and Parmigiano, then bake.
- Flavor/Texture: Creamy, cheesy, savory
A Comforting Favorite
I love baked ziti because it brings together the flavors of a good pasta dinner in one bubbling casserole. My version combines creamy whole-milk ricotta with mozzarella, Parmigiano, and homemade tomato sauce for layers of rich, savory flavor.
Cooking the pasta just shy of al dente gives it the right texture after baking, while plenty of tomato sauce keeps the casserole moist and tender. It’s the kind of meatless meal I love serving when everyone gathers around the table.
It’s an easy comfort food recipe that everyone loves! Here is a recipe for a Meat Baked Ziti you will also love.
Made With Amore,
“QVery simple, easy, delicious meal. I just add a tossed salad and Italian bread.”
– Marsha
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
Each ingredient contributes its unique texture and flavor, creating a deliciously hearty meatless dish.
- Ziti Pasta: A medium-sized, tube-shaped pasta that holds sauces well, providing the perfect base for baked pasta dishes.
- Homemade Tomato Sauce: Rich and flavorful, this homemade marinara sauce acts as the backbone of the dish, enveloping the pasta in a tangy and herb-infused embrace.
- Creamy Ricotta Cheese: A creamy, mild cheese that adds a luxurious texture and moistness to the layering. I recommend using whole milk ricotta.
- Mozzarella and Parmigiano: Melt into the pasta and create a bubbly topping.
- Egg and Fresh Basil: The egg helps bind the ricotta mixture while fresh basil adds aromatic flavor.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Pasta: Substitute penne or rigatoni for ziti if needed. Choose a sturdy tubular pasta that holds the sauce well.
- Ricotta: Whole-milk ricotta gives the creamiest texture, but cottage cheese can be used in its place. If you love ricotta, try my Spinach Manicotti Recipe with Ricotta.
- Vegetables: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant for extra vegetables. You’ll love my Baked Pasta with Vegetables.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free ziti or another gluten-free tubular pasta.
How to Make Meatless Baked Ziti
This meatless baked ziti builds flavor with creamy ricotta, homemade tomato sauce, and three cheeses, then bakes until hot and golden. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a baking dish. Make the homemade tomato sauce and set aside. In a large pot of salted water, cook the ziti until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package instructions). Drain the pasta.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, and 2½ cups tomato sauce in a medium bowl.
- Mix the ingredients.
- Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with remaining pasta sauce, then sprinkle with Parmigiano cheese and extra mozzarella just a thin to cover the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with a little fresh basil, if desired.
Meatless Baked Ziti FAQs
The egg helps bind the ricotta mixture as the baked ziti cooks. It allows the ricotta to set slightly while keeping the cheese layer creamy rather than completely melting into the sauce.
Use enough tomato sauce to coat the pasta well and keep the casserole moist as it bakes. Cooking the ziti just shy of al dente also prevents it from becoming overly soft, while avoiding overbaking helps maintain a tender texture.
Yes. Cook the ziti in boiling salted water before assembling the casserole.
To make ahead, assemble the baked ziti, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. If baking directly from the refrigerator, it may need additional time in the oven to heat through completely.
To store, cool to room temperature, then cover (or use an airtight container) and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap it well and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, place the ziti in an oven preheated to 350°F and warm it covered for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, for a quicker method, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving meatless baked ziti with a fresh Mediterranean Cucumber Salad, Italian Bread to balance the rich, cheesy pasta. For a larger meal, add Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Fennel, or Roasted Green Beans alongside the baked ziti. Finish with freshly grated Parmigiano and fresh basil for serving. For dessert, try my Chocolate Olive Oil Cake.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta just shy of al dente because it will continue cooking in the oven and absorb some of the tomato sauce.
- Use whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest cheese mixture and richest texture.
- Coat the pasta well with sauce so the baked ziti stays moist instead of drying out in the oven.
- Don’t overbake the casserole because prolonged baking can make the pasta dry and the ricotta firm.
- Let the baked ziti rest before serving for about 10 minutes so the layers settle and the cheese is easier to scoop.
More Baked Pasta Recipes
💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Easy Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta, 454 grams
- 4 cups 1 recipe homemade tomato sauce (you can use your favorite spaghetti sauce)
- 24 ounces whole milk Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded (additional for topping)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- Fresh Basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, or lasagna pan.
- Make the homemade tomato sauce and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted water, cook the ziti until just shy of al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package instructions). Drain the pasta.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, and 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce in a medium bowl.
- Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining pasta sauce, then sprinkle with Parmigiano cheese and extra mozzarella just a thin to cover the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with a little fresh basil, if desired.
- This dish is best enjoyed with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad. The rich layers of cheese and tomato sauce make it a satisfying meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Buon appetito!
Notes
- Cook the pasta just shy of al dente because it will continue cooking in the oven and absorb some of the tomato sauce.
- Use whole-milk ricotta for the creamiest cheese mixture and richest texture.
- Coat the pasta well with sauce so the baked ziti stays moist instead of drying out in the oven.
- Don’t overbake the casserole because prolonged baking can make the pasta dry and the ricotta firm.
- Let the baked ziti rest before serving for about 10 minutes so the layers settle and the cheese is easier to scoop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
It’s a family favorite for a good reason! Easy and yummy.
Very simple, easy, delicious meal. I just add a tossed salad and Italian bread. ๐โค๏ธ
Perfect additions. Yes! It is an easy meal that everyone loves.