Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe (Vegetarian, Holiday Side Dish)

This meatless baked ziti recipe is a holiday side dish vegetarians & meat eaters alike will devour! Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with mushrooms, spinach, rich tomato sauce, and ricotta cheese.

This is one fantastic pasta bake without meat the whole family will love. Serve with easy homemade garlic knots and a huge side salad for a delicious dinner.

When you want a hearty filling family dinner, there’s nothing better than a hot bubbling dish of meatless baked ziti!  This baked pasta is super satisfying for a dinner, and makes a great dish for entertaining.  It could be a delicious side dish for a holiday as well – a nice meatless alternative to a heavy holiday meal.

This meatless baked ziti is a really great make ahead dish!  It can be put together in a casserole dish the night before, covered, and then baked as normal the next day. Serve with a side of Garlic Lover’s Garlic Bread and a giant Potluck salad, and you have a fantastic meatless meal any day of the week!

This Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe Is:

• Hot
• Creamy
• Cheesy
• Bubbly
• Decadent
• A Fantastic Meatless Monday Meal
• Vegetarian and Gluten Free!

Make Holiday Baked Ziti Vegetarian for a Healthy Version

This vegetarian baked ziti recipe is a simple way to get extra veggies in your diet. I’m all about making recipes plant-based when I can. Vegetarian cooking does NOT have to be bland, boring, or flavorless… It’s quite the opposite when done right. By building meals around vegetarian pantry staples and swapping in a few plant-based ingredients you can make healthier meals for you and your family. I made a list of my 125 favorite vegan pantry ingredients that we use on a weekly basis, and check out all my vegetarian recipes here that are on The Herbeevore. These easy and healthy recipes are fantastic meatless meals for your table.

What’s In This Meatless Baked Ziti Recipe?

I stock up on organic produce with Misfits Market  – they have a fantastic selection of in-season fruits & veggies, healthy pantry items, and great food finds for a fraction of grocery store prices! You can get $10 off your first $30 box by clicking here!

• Ziti or Penne- these thick pasta shapes are the perfect noodle for this dish – the sauce and cheese flows inside the pasta making each bite super decadent. This gluten free version is a great pasta to bake with too.
• Ricotta Cheese – this creamy and irresistible ricotta cheese is a fantastic base layer for this toast!  I’ll also include a vegan version in the recipe card below if you don’t eat dairy… but if you DO eat dairy I’d highly recommend this delicious whole milk ricotta.
• Olive Oil: I like to use this fruity Zoe olive oil which has a fantastic flavor and deep color- it’s really inexpensive online here, so I keep a few liters stocked up in my pantry.  For the quality of oil you get, it’s an excellent value, I would highly recommend!
• Spinach
• Garlic
• Zucchini
• Mushrooms 
• Mozzarella – I used a shredded mozzarella for this recipe.
• parsley
• Tomato Sauce: I made homemade, but if you don’t have the time this AMAZING jarred tomato sauce is my favorite – its sweet, flavorful, and fresh!  This marinara sauce is vegan, gluten free, and so flavorful!

Meatless Comfort Food Dinner Recipes for the WIN!

This meat free baked ziti is the tastiest, coziest dinner meal. It’s perfect for a hearty meal for the family, and also great to make for company if you are having guests for dinner. It makes a great holiday meal as well for your Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, or Easter table. The oven does most of the work, so you can enjoy hands-off time while you prep sides or a salad!

How Do I Make This Baked Ziti Recipe without Meat?

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, cook the ziti al dente according to package directions.  Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
3. In a large bowl combine the olive oil, zucchini, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, parsley, spinach, and mushrooms.  Mix together well so all the vegetables and cheese have combined.
4. In a deep 13×9 inch baking dish, layer 1 cup tomato sauce, half of the pasta, half of the cheese/vegetable mixture. Repeat again with another layer of sauce, pasta, and cheese.  Sauce one more time for the final layer, and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top.
5. Bake for 30 minutes covered, and an additional 20 minutes uncovered until pasta and cheese becomes hot and bubbly.
6. ***If making ahead of time, follow steps 1-4, then wrap the baking dish in tin foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, follow step 5.

A Great Make Ahead Baked Ziti for Entertaining

This meatless baked ziti recipe is fantastic to make ahead of time for a party, potluck, or gathering. Making this recipe in advance allows you to skip any cooking or prep on the day-of. This is a great recipe to entertain with, or bring to an event. A crowd-pleaser that everyone is sure to love! Check out my other make ahead meals too.

More Meatless Family Dinner Recipes You’ll Love!

Creamy Mushroom Tetrazzini Recipe (Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian)

Vegetarian Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe

Egg Drop Soup with Rice Recipe (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)

Black Bean & Pumpkin Quesadilla Recipe (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)

Vegan Beef Stew Recipe (Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Plant Based)

Get the Same Ingredients for This Baked Ziti without Meat!

 

 

As always, if you make this vegetarian and gluten free baked ziti recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you.  I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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