Description
Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti is a comforting dish packed with vibrant vegetables, perfect for cozy family dinners and adaptable for gluten-free and vegan diets.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box Ziti Pasta (Swap with gluten-free ziti for gluten-free version.)
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce (Choose gluten-free labeled sauce if needed.)
- 3 cups Mixed Vegetables (A colorful blend of bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach.)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Substitute with vegan ricotta for a dairy-free option.)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (Opt for low-moisture mozzarella to avoid a watery dish.)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (Optional; for a vegan twist, use nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan.)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook ziti according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté mixed vegetables until tender, about 5-7 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with sautéed vegetables, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir gently to combine.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with remaining mozzarella and optional Parmesan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free ziti and marinara sauce.
- For a vegan version, replace ricotta and mozzarella with vegan alternatives.
- Letting the dish cool slightly enhances the flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti, Vegetarian Pasta, Comfort Food