Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the minced garlic and chopped bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the bell peppers are slightly softened but still have a bit of crispness.
- Add the chopped zucchini and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender and the mushrooms have released their moisture and are starting to brown, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the roughly chopped fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook until the spinach wilts completely, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Season generously to taste.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with about three-quarters of the vegetable marinara sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Spread half of the sauced ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly over the ziti layer. Sprinkle about half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the ricotta.
- Top with the remaining sauced ziti mixture. Spread the remaining ricotta cheese over the top layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the ricotta.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
- Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the baked ziti to set slightly, making it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
Don't overcook the pasta, cook it al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven. Full-fat ricotta provides the best flavor and consistency. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella is recommended for baking. Cook vegetables long enough to release their moisture to prevent watery baked ziti. For make-ahead: Assemble completely and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. To freeze: Cool completely, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
