Description
This delicious meatless baked ziti is a comforting Italian-inspired casserole loaded with tender ziti pasta, sautéed spinach and mushrooms, creamy ricotta and goat cheese, and gooey mozzarella, all baked to perfection with rich spaghetti sauce. Perfect as a hearty vegetarian main dish for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 (16-ounce) package ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ (8-ounce) package fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 (4-ounce) package fresh mushrooms, sliced
Cheeses
- 1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) package crumbled goat cheese
- ½ (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce
- 1 (14-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped spinach and sliced mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes until they are tender and fragrant. Add the sautéed vegetables to the bowl with the cooked pasta.
- Mix Cheeses & Sauce: To the pasta and vegetables, add the ricotta cheese, crumbled goat cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Pour in the spaghetti sauce and stir everything together until thoroughly combined.
- Assemble & Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese on top has melted and started to brown slightly.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding garlic or Italian seasoning when sautéing the vegetables.
- You can substitute goat cheese with cottage cheese or cream cheese if preferred.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes before serving to help it set and make serving easier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
