Baked Ziti Recipe No Meat
A cozy, crowd-pleasing casserole layered with ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella — this baked ziti recipe no meat delivers big flavor without needing any meat. It’s a warm, comforting dish that’s perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or Sunday dinner with the family.
Equipment
- Large Pot for boiling pasta
- Colander
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Aluminum Foil
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional (Add-ins):
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup diced zucchini
Instructions
- Boil ziti until almost al dente; drain.
- Sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Stir in marinara and half the basil; simmer 5 minutes.
- Mix ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, half Parmesan, and remaining basil in a bowl.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Spread 1 cup sauce in baking dish. Layer half the pasta, half the ricotta mix, ½ cup mozzarella, and 1½ cups sauce. Repeat.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake 20 min; uncover and bake another 10–15 min until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Vegetarian-friendly. Contains dairy, eggs, and gluten. Easily customizable with veggies or spices.