Loaded Meatless Baked Ziti
This Loaded Meatless Baked Ziti is packed with vegetables, making it hearty and nutritious. It's easy to make and extra cheesy.
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion
- 8 ounces baby bella or white button mushrooms* see below for suggested alternatives
- 1 large zucchini**
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 cups spinach or other greens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces ziti
- 24 ounces marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 15 ounces whole or part-skim ricotta
- 8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and cook ziti al dente according to the directions on the box.16 ounces ziti
- Prep your vegetables by dicing the zucchini and onion, slicing the mushrooms, and mincing the garlic.1 large yellow onion, 8 ounces baby bella or white button mushrooms*, 1 large zucchini**, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the prepped veggies to a large saucepan or pot with spinach, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook over high heat until the liquid from the veggies releases and the onion turns translucent (10-15 minutes).2 cups spinach or other greens, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the marinara sauce to the saucepan and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.24 ounces marinara or spaghetti sauce
- Remove from heat and stir in the ricotta.15 ounces whole or part-skim ricotta
- Add your cooked pasta to the veggie-packed sauce and stir to coat. Transfer the ziti and sauce to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the shredded Italian cheese blend on top, completely covering the ziti with cheese.8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top layer of cheese is completely melted and starts to brown. Option to garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you're not a fan of mushrooms you can easily sub in any other vegetable like peppers, eggplant, or even fresh tomatoes.
- You can use yellow squash, butternut squash, or summer squash in place of zucchini. Or leave it out entirely!
- Reducing your meat consumption significantly reduces your carbon footprint. Be kind to the planet (as well as your tastebuds!) with more of these delicious meatless pasta meals.