If you only make one baked pasta this year, let it be this Meatless Baked Ziti. Seriously! It's the kind of dish that makes the whole house smell like an Italian restaurant. One bubbling, cheesy pan and suddenly everyone's wandering into the kitchen asking, "Is dinner ready yet?"
Let's be honest, weeknights are chaos and this baked ziti delivers with just a handful of ingredients and zero drama. It's the kind of dinner you can throw together between homework and "Mom, I can't find my shoe." If you are surviving on make ahead pasta dishes this time of year like I am, try my Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake next, it's another no-fail crowd-pleaser and super delish!
TL;DR - Meatless Baked Ziti
✨ Everything you need to know at a glance:
- 🤎 Why you'll love it: Cozy, cheesy baked pasta made meatless!
- 🧀 Ingredients: 6
- 🔥 How to make: Cook pasta → mix with sauce + cheeses → layer → bake until bubbly.
- ⏲️ Time: 35 mins total. 15 mins to prep, then 20 minutes to bake.
- ❄️ Make-ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and bake before serving.
- 🍽️ Serve with: Garlic bread rolls, a big salad, or honey roasted carrots.
- 💡 Why it's different: Simple ingredients, no special equipment, and a totally vegetarian baked ziti dish that still tastes rich and comforting.
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Key Ingredients
- Ziti: A tubular pasta with no ridges on the outside, this is a classic pasta shape for a baked pasta dish. You can easily substitute with penne or rigatoni.
- Ricotta: I use part skim and don't worry about draining it for this recipe.
- Shredded Mozzarella: The pre-packaged shredded mozzarella works great, but feel free to shred some fresh on a box grater.
- Parmesan: Grate your own from a wedge of cheese on a microplane if you have time. Do not use the shelf stable Parmesan in the green container...it won't melt into your sauce well.
- Pasta Sauce: Your favorite marinara sauce is the perfect choice for this recipe. I use what have in the pantry. Just be sure it's pasta sauce and not plain tomato sauce.
Baked Ziti Variations
- Add Protein: Add in meatless crumbles (Morningstar, Beyond Meat and Impossible all make great options). If you are okay with meat and don't keep kosher, you can stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked ground beef. Flaked hot smoked salmon or leftover pesto salmon are other great options.
- Add Veggies: Roasted Broccoli or Pureed Broccoli (just add it right to the sauce), Roasted Cauliflower, fresh or pureed spinach, mushrooms, or peas.
- Vodka Sauce: Swap the marinara sauce for either a homemade or store bought vodka sauce.
- Spice it up: Add crushed red pepper flakes (to taste) directly to the cheese mixture before adding in the pasta.
- Gluten free: Simply swap the ziti for your favorite gluten free pasta.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉ degrees and then prepare your 9x13 baking dish by spraying with cooking spray. Then cook the pasta according to the package directions. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and set aside.
Step 2: Pour one cup of the pasta sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
Step 3: Then while the pasta cooks, mix together the eggs, ricotta, ½ the shredded mozzarella, the parmesan and the remaining pasta sauce in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 4: Add the cooked pasta and stir until all the pieces of pasta are well combined with the cheese-sauce mixture
Step 5: .Pour that mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 6: Once the top is browning and the insides are hot and bubbly, remove from the oven and enjoy!
Easy entertaining with baked ziti!
I love to set up a pasta bar when I'm hosting. Easy to make ahead and enjoy my guests! I'll serve this meatless baked ziti, a creamy pasta dish like creamy pesto pasta or creamy zucchini pasta and then make a batch of pink sauce and garlic butter along with plain noodles for people (read picky kiddos) to DIY a pasta bowl.
🩶Marni
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, assemble the whole dish, refrigerate up to 24 hours, and bake when ready. Add 10 minutes if you are baking it straight from the fridge.
Absolutely.
🎯To freeze before baking: Wrap in plastic wrap then cover with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
❄️To freeze after baking: Let it cool completely and then wrap the entire baking dish in plastic wrap and then cover with foil. On the foil write the defrosting and cooking directions.
🔥To reheat: Let the dish defrost on the counter, remove the plastic wrap, replace the foil and bake at 350℉ until the middle is hot (about 30 minutes). To make sure the dish doesn't dry out, add an additional cup of pasta sauce right over the top before reheating.
Ziti, penne, or rigatoni all work because they hold sauce and cheese well.
Use enough sauce, mix cheese throughout the pasta, and bake covered for the first 20 minutes.
Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!
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More Easy Pasta Recipes you'll love
Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!
And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you're up to in the kitchen!
📖 Recipe
6-Ingredient Meatless Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ziti or other tubular pasta
- 15 oz Ricotta
- 16 oz Shredded Mozzarella
- 1 cup Parmesan
- 2 jars Marinara Sauce 32 oz jars
- 2 Eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and then prepare your 9x13 baking dish by spraying with cooking spray.
- Then cook the pasta according to the package directions. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and set aside.
- Pour one cup of the pasta sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Then while the pasta cooks, mix together the eggs, ricotta, ½ the shredded mozzarella, the parmesan and the remaining pasta sauce in a medium mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir until all the pieces of pasta are well combined with the cheese-sauce mixture.
- Cover with the remaining mozzarella and bake for 20 minutes. Once the top is browning and the insides are hot and bubbly, remove from the oven and enjoy!
Notes
- To reheat leftovers: Add an extra spoonful of sauce on top of the baked ziti, then microwave in 30 seconds increments until hot throughout.
- Make the dish gluten free by swapping the pasta for a gluten free variety.
Marni Katz says
This is a go to for busy school nights. I put it together during the day and cook it when we get home.