Name: Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe for a Comforting Pasta Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces ziti pasta; 1 24-ounce jar pasta sauce, divided; 15 ounces ricotta cheese; 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped); 1 large egg (lightly beaten); 1 teaspoon fresh oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Ziti pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and pasta sauce baked into a cheesy, meatless baked ziti recipe for a comforting pasta dinner.

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So here’s the truth: this recipe came out of desperation. I was tired, cranky, and didn’t want to deal with defrosting meat or messing with pans of sizzling sausage. I just wanted pasta. Comfort, cheese, carbs—the holy trinity, right? I tossed together some ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and sauce, and figured, “Eh, it’ll do.”

But then—oh my goodness—the smell that started filling my kitchen? Like a cozy Italian grandma had taken over my stove. My husband, the kind of guy who usually asks, “Wait… no meat?” didn’t even notice. He was too busy shoveling forkfuls into his mouth. And my kid asked for seconds, which honestly, is the best review any of my recipes can get. I laughed, because here I was, thinking this meatless baked ziti would be a compromise, but instead it became the dish. The one I make on Sundays when I need comfort food that doesn’t demand much from me.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

Why You’ll Love This Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe?

This baked ziti is proof you don’t need meat to make pasta feel hearty. It’s saucy, cheesy, filling, and honestly? A little forgiving. Even if you forget it in the oven for a few extra minutes, it still comes out bubbling and delicious. I love how it’s quick enough for a weeknight but cozy enough to serve at a family gathering. And you know what else? It makes leftovers that taste even better the next day (I may or may not have eaten it cold out of the fridge once—don’t judge).

It’s basically the definition of a comforting pasta dinner: easy, familiar, and full of flavor. Who needs meat when you’ve got cheese pulling in strings and a sauce that clings to every bite of ziti?

Ingredient Notes:

I’ll be honest, I’ve swapped things around in this meatless baked ziti recipe depending on what’s hanging out in my fridge. But here’s the base I keep coming back to:

Ziti (16 oz) – The classic. But if you can’t find ziti, penne or rigatoni do just fine. I’ve even used shells once and nobody complained.
Pasta Sauce (24 oz jar) – Use a jarred sauce you like. I’ll sometimes stir in a splash of red wine or chili flakes just to jazz it up.
Ricotta (15 oz) – The creamy stuff that makes the whole dish feel rich. Some people use cottage cheese—I can’t decide if I love or hate that swap, honestly.
Mozzarella (8 oz, shredded) – The gooey magic. Buy a block and shred it yourself if you can. Pre-shredded works, but it doesn’t melt as dreamy.
Parsley (¼ cup, chopped) – Brings a bit of freshness so you don’t feel like you’ve eaten a brick of cheese.
Egg (1, beaten) – Holds things together, like culinary glue.
Oregano & Garlic Powder (1 tsp each) – Flavor bombs. They turn “just pasta” into “pasta worth remembering.”
Salt & Pepper – Basics, but essential. Season like you mean it.
Parmesan (3 tbsp) – The salty, nutty crown on top. It’s the detail that makes you go, “ahh, yes.”

How To Make Meatless Baked Ziti?

Cooking this meatless baked ziti recipe for a comforting pasta dinner is about as easy as cooking gets. But let’s walk through it anyway:

Step 1: Cook your pasta
Boil the ziti in salted water until al dente. Don’t let it go mushy—it’s going to cook more in the oven. Drain it well. No one wants watery ziti.

Step 2: Mix the good stuff
In a big bowl, toss the pasta with half the sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, parsley, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Yes, it looks like a cheesy mess, but trust me, it works.

Step 3: Into the dish
Grease up a 9×13-inch dish. Spread the pasta mixture inside. Pour the rest of the sauce over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan. Looks good already, doesn’t it?

Step 4: Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. By now, your kitchen smells amazing and you’ll be tempted to peek. Don’t. Let it bubble away.

Step 5: Rest and serve
Here’s the annoying part: let it rest for 5 minutes before digging in. I know, torture. But it keeps everything together so you don’t end up with sloppy noodles sliding around your plate.

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Storage Options:

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (rare in my house), this meatless baked ziti keeps beautifully. Pop it in the fridge in a covered container for 3–4 days. To reheat, I like tossing it back in the oven at a low temp—it crisps the top again. But hey, microwave works when you’re impatient. Freezer-friendly too. Wrap it tight in foil and it’ll hang out for up to 2 months.

Variations and Substitutions:

I’m a chronic recipe tweaker, so trust me when I say this dish is flexible:

Cheese swaps – Fontina, provolone, even cottage cheese if you dare.
Extra veggies – Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini… basically anything threatening to wilt in the fridge.
Spicy version – Add red pepper flakes. Or go bold with a spicy arrabbiata sauce.
Gluten-free – Just use gluten-free pasta and sauce. Done.

What to Serve with Meatless Baked Ziti?

This baked ziti is filling on its own, but if you want the full Italian-American comfort experience, here’s what I’d throw on the table:

Garlic bread – Crunchy, buttery, essential.
Simple green salad – Because balance.
Roasted broccoli or asparagus – Adds a little color to the plate.
A glass of red wine – Optional, but highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this ahead?
Totally. Assemble, cover, refrigerate. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the fridge (add a few extra minutes).

Do I have to use ziti?
Nope. Penne, rigatoni, whatever short pasta you’ve got. I once used elbow macaroni because that’s what was in the pantry. Worked fine.

Will I actually not miss the meat?
Honestly, I didn’t. And that’s coming from someone who usually orders double pepperoni on pizza. It’s cheesy and hearty enough that you won’t even think about it.

And there it is—my Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe for a Comforting Pasta Dinner. Cozy, cheesy, a little imperfect, and exactly the kind of thing you want when life feels like too much.

So tell me—are you the type who grabs garlic bread as your sidekick, or do you just load up on extra ziti and call it a day?

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles

Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini

Seafood Mac and Cheese Recipe