Meatless Baked Ziti Pasta (Print-Friendly Version)

Cheesy meatless baked ziti with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and ricotta for a cozy, easy dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 100 g grated pecorino romano cheese
02 - 226 g shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
03 - 425 g whole milk ricotta cheese

→ Fresh Flavourings

04 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
07 - 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

→ Sauce

08 - 710 ml store-bought tomato sauce

→ Pasta

09 - 454 g ziti noodles

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
02 - Cook ziti in boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 360 ml tomato sauce, 120 g shredded mozzarella, egg, chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
04 - Spread 120 ml tomato sauce on the bottom of a 33 x 23 cm baking dish. Add cooked ziti and cheese mixture, gently tossing to combine. Pour remaining 240 ml tomato sauce evenly over the top, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, and add all grated pecorino romano.
05 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
06 - Allow the baked ziti to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing for cleaner portions.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Allowing the dish to cool after baking helps it hold its shape when slicing.