Meatless Baked Ziti with Vegetables

This vegetarian baked ziti is made with ricotta, mozzarella, and a veggie-loaded tomato sauce (but no meat). It's loaded with flavor and extra nutrition. Serve this easy recipe to a crowd!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 40

Resting Time 5

Total Time 1 15

Servings servings

Calories 504kcal

Author Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Ingredients

5 cups tomato sauce jarred or homemade
1 carrot chopped into small pieces
2 stalks celery chopped into small pieces
1 yellow onion diced
2 cups finely chopped lacinato kale from about 10 leaves
2 cloves garlic minced
16 ounces dried ziti
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg lightly beaten
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for serving

Instructions

First, prep the vegetables and gather the ingredients. Get out a 13x9 baking dish. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Pour the tomato sauce into a pot or large saucepan. Add the vegetables and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the veggies are softened to your liking. Remove from heat.
In the meantime, boil a pot of salted water. Cook the ziti about 2 to 3 minutes less than the package suggests. It will continue cooking in the oven, so you don't want to make it too soft. Drain and rinse the ziti.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, ½ cup of the parmesan, and the beaten egg.
Put the cooked ziti in the bowl and stir well to coat it in the cheese mixture.
Pour half of the sauce into the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon the ziti and cheese mixture on top and spread it out with a spatula. Pour the rest of the sauce on top of the ziti layer. Then, sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with the chopped parsley before serving. Cut into servings and enjoy!
Leave a rating or review by tapping the stars on this recipe card (above) or in the comments section (at the end of the post)!

Notes

You can assemble the recipe up to 24 hours in advance. Cover with foil, and keep in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it. Let it sit out at room temperature while the oven preheats.
You can also freeze the ziti unbaked. Assemble the recipe, let it cool, then wrap in plastic wrap followed by foil. Label, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking according to recipe instructions. Remember to remove the plastic wrap before baking (but put the foil back on).
Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in a baking dish covered with foil for 15 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Nutrition