Vegetarian Ziti Gratinee

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegetarian Ziti Gratinée, a hearty baked pasta dish that combines tender ziti, a medley of sautéed vegetables, and rich marinara sauce for a flavor-packed casserole that’s meat-free yet deeply satisfying. Layers of creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan are crowned with a golden breadcrumb topping infused with fresh parsley, creating a delightful texture contrast. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this dish comes together in just an hour and serves six satisfying portions. Packed with nutrient-rich zucchini, red bell pepper, spinach, and aromatic garlic, it's a wholesome vegetarian twist on classic baked ziti that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add diced zucchini and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Step 6

Stir in baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.

Step 7

Pour in marinara sauce and stir to combine. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, vegetable marinara mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix until evenly coated.

Step 9

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the ziti mixture evenly into the dish.

Step 10

Top the ziti with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 11

In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with chopped parsley. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 14

Garnish with additional chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2306.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3737.9

Total Fat 137.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 351.4mg	0%
Sodium 6227.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 461.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.9g	0%
Total Sugars 48.1g
Protein 179.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3537.2mg	0%
Iron 27.1mg	0%
Potassium 1432.4mg	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: 32.6%

Protein: 18.9%

Carbs: 48.6%