Baked Ziti Casserole

Meatless baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella is an easy and comfortable everyday food. The combination of three types of cheeses (ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese), tomato sauce, and ziti pasta give this dish a unique taste. I like this easy meatless baked ziti recipe because it always comes out delicious.

Baked Ziti Casserole Ingredients:

• pound ziti, or another short cut pasta;
• 2 cups ricotta cheese;
• 1 can crushed tomatoes;
• 1 1/2 cups plus ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided;
• 1large egg, beaten;
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes;
• ½ tsp dried oregano;
• salt and pepper, to taste;
• 2 cups tomato sauce;
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded.

This recipe is meatless, but if you want baked ziti with ground beef or pork, you can prepare it according to this baked ziti with ground beef

HOW TO MAKE MEATLESS BAKED ZITI?

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add 1 pound ziti pasta and salt (to taste). Cook for 8-10 minutes. Pasta shouldn’t be completely cooked (it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
2. Add 2 cups of ricotta cheese, 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 beaten egg, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, ½ tsp dried oregano, salt, and pepper, to a large bowl.
3. Then, add ziti and mix until combined.
4. Grease a 9×13 inches baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Then, add 1 cup tomato sauce and spread evenly.
5. Transfer cheesy ziti mixture to the baking dish. Spread evenly.
6. Then, pour the remaining 1 cup of tomato sauce over the ziti layer.
7. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until completely heated, browned and cheese melted. Enjoy!

CAN I MAKE BAKED ZITI AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes, baked ziti is a perfect everyday food that you can make ahead of time. Place all of the layers of baked ziti in a baking dish. Then, cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MEATLESS BAKED ZITI?

I like to serve this meatless baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella with crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or fresh salad.

CAN YOU FREEZE MEATLESS BAKED ZITI?

Yes, you can freeze this meatless baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella baked or unbaked. Just cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe tips;

1. You can add fresh herbs (oregano, basil, or thyme) to your baked ziti.
2. It isn’t necessary to use ziti for this Easy Meatless baked ziti Recipe, penne or rigatoni will also work.
3. Add some hot tomato sauce to your baked ziti, if you like spicy dishes.

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

• ROASTED RED PEPPER RIGATONI
• WORLD’S BEST LASAGNA
• CHEESY HAMBURGER CASSEROLE