Description
Hearty vegetable ziti recipe delivers a comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish packed with seasonal vegetables and creamy cheese. Savory layers of zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes meld perfectly for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ziti pasta, uncooked
- 2 lbs (907 g) yellow squash and zucchini, sliced
- 2 pints (340 g) red grape tomatoes
- 8 oz (227 g) Romano cheese, grated
- 6 oz (170 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (454 g) ricotta cheese
- 12 oz (340 g) marinara sauce, jar
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup (8 g) fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tsps (10 g) kosher salt
- 1 tsp (2 g) black pepper
- 1 tsp (5 ml) white wine vinegar
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook ziti in salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, then drain and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Vegetable Roasting: Spread zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, and minced garlic on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then broil 6 inches from the element for 10-12 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform charring and tenderness.
- Cheese Mixture Creation: Whisk ricotta, Romano cheese, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Layering Process: Fold roasted vegetables and marinara sauce into cooled pasta. Transfer half the mixture to a 13×9-inch baking dish, spread with ricotta mixture, then repeat layering with remaining pasta and cheese blend.
- Baking and Finishing: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the casserole. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden and bubbly. Allow the ziti to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to help flavors meld and dish set.
- Serving: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook ziti al dente to maintain a slight bite, preventing mushy texture during baking.
- Broiling Brilliance: Watch vegetables closely while broiling to achieve charred edges without burning, rotating pan for even caramelization.
- Cheese Mixing Magic: Whisk ricotta mixture thoroughly to ensure smooth, well-incorporated flavors that distribute evenly throughout the dish.
- Resting Ritual: Allow ziti to rest after baking, letting cheese set and flavors meld, which enhances overall taste and makes serving easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg