Easy Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe with Ricotta Cheese– Three kinds of cheese layered with pasta and homemade tomato sauce baked to golden brown perfection—delicious! This is an easy meal for any night of the week. 

You may also like, Italian Sausage Baked Ziti and Cheesy Vegetable Baked Pasta.

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you need an easy recipe with few ingredients that the whole family will love- make this baked pasta dish! Get ready to add this easy recipe to your weekly rotation and make dinner time a breeze with this family favorite!

• Comfort Food at Its Best: The warm, bubbling cheese and rich tomato sauce create a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or cozy evenings.
• Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With just a handful of high-quality ingredients like rich homemade tomato sauce and creamy cheeses, this recipe delivers a robust flavor profile that showcases the essence of Italian cooking.
• Great for Gatherings: Baked ziti is perfect for potlucks, parties, or any gathering. It’s easy to make a large batch, and it’s always a hit.

It’s an easy comfort food recipe that everyone loves! Here is a recipe for a meaty baked ziti you will also love.

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 Cheese: Known for its meltability, Mozzarella gives the dish that delightful stringy, gooey quality.
• Parmigiano Cheese (parmesan cheese): A hard, aged cheese that brings a salty and nutty sharpness, enhancing the overall depth of flavor.
• Egg: Help to bind the Ricotta mixture, giving it structure and richness.
• Fresh Basil: Adds a burst of freshness and color, contrasting beautifully with the rich flavors of the cheeses and tomato sauce.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Meatless Baked Ziti

This easy-baked ziti recipe comes together in a few easy steps! See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for more.

A great recipe for pasta bake that everyone will enjoy!

Substitutions

• Pasta: Any tubular pasta like penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli can work well if you don’t have ziti.
• Homemade Tomato Sauce: You can use a high-quality store-bought marinara sauce if you’re short on time.
• Ricotta Cheese: Cottage cheese can be a lighter alternative to Ricotta. Blend it to smooth the lumps for a similar texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or a gluten-free flour blend.

Variations

• Vegetable-Loaded Ziti: Add sautéed vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant to the sauce. This not only boosts the nutritional content but also adds color and texture to the dish.
• Creamy Ziti: Introduce a bechamel sauce layer for a richer, creamier texture. Mix it with the tomato sauce or layer it separately for a decadent twist.
• Protein-Packed Ziti: Incorporate cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or meatballs for a meaty version. For a vegetarian protein boost, consider adding plant-based meat substitutes or cooked lentils.
• Spicy Ziti: Spice up the dish by adding red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce or using a spicy arrabbiata sauce instead of plain tomato sauce.
• Pesto Ziti: For a green twist, mix some basil pesto into the Ricotta cheese mixture or layer it with the tomato sauce for a vibrant burst of flavor.
• Three Cheese Ziti: Add different cheeses such as Gouda for smokiness, or a touch of blue cheese for a bold flavor. You can also use a blend of Italian cheeses like Asiago, Fontina, and provolone for deeper flavor complexity.

FAQ’s

Equipment

• Casserole Dish

How to Store and Reheat

To store your Baked Ziti, first let it 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.

More Recipes

Looking for other recipes? Try these:

Creamy Sausage Baked Ziti “White Baked Ziti” Recipe

Stuffed Lumaconi Pasta Recipe with Ricotta and Sausage

BEST Salmon Piccata (Lemon Butter Caper Sauce)

Best Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina Recipe (Baked Gnocchi)

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