Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Indulge in the comforting layers of this Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Meatballs, a hearty and satisfying crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. This recipe transforms a classic Italian favorite into a vegetarian masterpiece, featuring tender ziti pasta smothered in a rich, homemade tomato sauce flavored with aromatic garlic, onion, and herbs. Nestled between layers of creamy ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and golden Parmesan cheese, you’ll find savory vegetarian meatballs that add the perfect touch of plant-based goodness. Finished with a bubbly, golden crust and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this baked dish is as beautiful as it is delicious. Easy to prepare in just an hour, this baked ziti is the perfect way to showcase the flavors of comfort food without the meat.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Ziti pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 Onion, medium (diced)
• 3 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1.5 cups Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 15 Frozen vegetarian meatballs
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir the cooked ziti into the sauce, ensuring all the pasta is well-coated.

Step 6

In a large baking dish, spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture. Top evenly with all of the ricotta cheese.

Step 7

Add the vegetarian meatballs on top of the ricotta layer.

Step 8

Spread the remaining pasta and sauce mixture over the meatballs.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 5 minutes.

Step 12

Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3312.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5688.5

Total Fat 261.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 93.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 497.4mg	0%
Sodium 12044.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 497.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 77.5g	0%
Total Sugars 60.0g
Protein 337.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 4986.8mg	0%
Iron 52.3mg	0%
Potassium 5888.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.3%

Protein: 23.7%

Carbs: 35.0%