Name: Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound Ziti Pasta; 48 ounces Marinara Sauce; 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese; 16 ounces Mozzarella Cheese, shredded; ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated; 1 large Onion, chopped; 4 cloves Garlic, minced; 2 Bell Peppers, assorted colors, chopped; 2 medium Zucchini, chopped; 8 ounces Mushrooms, sliced; 5 ounces Spinach, fresh, roughly chopped; 3 tablespoons Olive Oil; 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning; ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, optional; Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Description

A hearty and comforting baked ziti dish loaded with a rainbow of fresh vegetables, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese, perfect for a family meal or gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound Ziti Pasta
48 ounces Marinara Sauce
15 ounces Ricotta Cheese
16 ounces Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 large Onion, chopped
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 Bell Peppers, assorted colors, chopped
2 medium Zucchini, chopped
8 ounces Mushrooms, sliced
5 ounces Spinach, fresh, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, optional
Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic; sauté until translucent. Stir in bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, cooking until softened. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with the sautéed vegetables, marinara sauce, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle red pepper flakes if desired.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Great for meal prep, stores well, and easy to reheat. Feel free to mix and match vegetables based on availability.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 500
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 65g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: baked ziti, vegetarian pasta, comfort food, family meal, easy dinner