Description
This delicious meatless baked ziti is an elegant and easy-to-make Italian-inspired casserole that combines tender pasta with sautéed spinach and mushrooms, creamy ricotta and goat cheeses, and melted mozzarella, all baked in a rich spaghetti sauce. It’s a perfect crowd-pleaser for vegetarians and a comforting dish ideal for family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
For the Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ (8 ounce) package fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 (4 ounce) package fresh mushrooms, sliced
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 (8 ounce) package crumbled goat cheese
- ½ (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
For Assembly:
- 1 (14 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- Olive oil cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
- Remaining ½ (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped spinach and sliced mushrooms, cooking until they soften, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and combine the sautéed vegetables with the cooked pasta in the bowl.
- Mix cheeses and sauce: Incorporate the ricotta cheese, crumbled goat cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the pasta and vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly until well combined. Next, gently fold in the spaghetti sauce until evenly distributed.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Notes
- For best flavor, use a spaghetti sauce made with red wine as recommended.
- This recipe can serve up to 12 people as a main or side dish.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach; just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce can provide a subtle spicy kick.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
