Print

Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti That Will Transform Dinner in 30 Minutes

Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti makes dinner quick and flavorful solving mealtime stress with a hearty veggiepacked dish everyone will love

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry ziti pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced finely
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (a mix of red, green, and yellow for color)
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini, about half-inch pieces
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 (28-ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

    • Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini. Stir and cook until veggies are tender but not mushy, around 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil.
  • Stir in the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes into the skillet. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes. Toss in the chopped spinach and stir until just wilted.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with half the mozzarella, all the ricotta, and about half the Parmesan cheese. Add the veggie-tomato sauce mixture and stir gently to distribute everything evenly.
  • Transfer half of the ziti mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer with some extra mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Add the rest of the pasta mixture and finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly browned.
  • Let your loaded veggie baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

    • Notes

    Loaded veggie baked ziti is a comforting baked pasta dish packed with fresh vegetables, gooey mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, all combined in a flavorful savory tomato sauce. Perfect for a lighter yet hearty comfort meal.

    Find it online: https://mekara.info/loaded-veggie-baked-ziti-quick-dinner-recipe/