Print

Easy Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Easy Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella is a comforting, cheesy dish featuring rich ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and flavorful pasta sauce. It’s a simple, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

16 oz ziti

1 24 oz jar of pasta sauce (about 3 cups)

15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)

1 egg

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup grated pecorino romano cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
  2. Cook the pasta: Cook the ziti according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  3. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and half of the grated pecorino romano cheese. Mix until well combined.
  4. Add pasta to the cheese mixture: Stir in the cooked ziti to coat the pasta evenly with the cheese mixture.
  5. Layer the baking dish: Pour half of the pasta sauce into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Layer the ziti and cheese mixture on top, then pour the remaining sauce over the pasta and spread evenly.
  6. Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining pecorino romano cheese on top.
  7. Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
  8. Cool and serve: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add sautéed vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to the pasta mixture.

Use gluten-free pasta if needed to make this dish gluten-free.

If you prefer spicier pasta, add red pepper flakes or use a spicy marinara sauce.

Fresh mozzarella can be used, but make sure to drain it well to avoid excess moisture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/easy-meatless-baked-ziti-with-ricotta-and-mozzarella/