Description
Baked ziti with roasted vegetables brings comfort straight from my kitchen to your dinner table, blending pasta, rich marinara, and caramelized veggies into a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug. Fresh herbs and melted cheese make this hearty dish a perfect weeknight solution for hungry families craving something delicious and wholesome.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 4 cup assorted vegetables, chopped
- 3 cup marinara sauce
- 15 ounce ricotta cheese
- 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried Italian herbs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Finishing:
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Crank your oven to 400°F. Chop 4 cups of assorted vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- Grab a large bowl and toss the 4 cups of chopped vegetables with ½ cup olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons dried Italian herbs, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- Spread vegetables in a single layer across a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through until they turn golden and tender.
- Cook 1 pound ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain completely and set aside.
- Combine roasted vegetables and cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to distribute vegetables evenly.
- Whisk together 3 cups marinara sauce, 15 ounces ricotta cheese, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Layer half the pasta-vegetable mixture in a baking dish. Spread half the sauce mixture on top. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layering with remaining pasta, sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle ¼ cup fresh chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- Roast vegetables at high heat to caramelize edges and concentrate flavors, which adds depth to your pasta dish.
- Choose seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant for the most flavorful and tender results.
- Drain pasta super well to prevent watery sauce and ensure the cheese melts perfectly across the top of the casserole.
- For a gluten-free version, swap ziti with gluten-free pasta and double-check marinara sauce ingredients for hidden gluten.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes - 1 hour
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg