Cheesy Meatless Baked Ziti

Cheesy Meatless Baked Ziti is hearty comfort food—rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor, all without the need for meat. This classic Italian-inspired dish layers tender pasta with a rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of gooey mozzarella for a satisfying, oven-baked meal.

Servings per Recipe: 8 servings

Calories per Serving: 442

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 45

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5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

12 ounces ziti pasta
50 ounces pasta sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3 cups mozzarella cheese
1 egg
15 ounces ricotta cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

Spray a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Grate 3 cups mozzarella cheese.
Cook 12 ounces ziti pasta according to package directions but slightly undercook; drain.
In a medium bowl, combine 50 ounces pasta sauce and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning. Remove 2 cups and set aside.
Stir remaining sauce into cooked pasta.
In a medium bowl, beat 1 egg and stir in 15 ounces ricotta cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, and ½ teaspoon salt until blended.
Place half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese on top.
Place ricotta mixture over the mozzarella cheese by dolloping with a spoon and gently spreading over the mozzarella cheese.
Top with remaining pasta, then sprinkle with ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese. Spread remaining pasta sauce evenly to edges of dish, coating all pasta.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes or until very hot in center and edges are bubbly.
If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and shredded Parmesan cheese.

Notes

This recipe freezes well, so if you'd like you can double the recipe and put one in the freezer. Label with:

Cheesy Meatless Baked Ziti: Thaw. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 minutes.

Nutrition