Roasted Vegetable & Cheese-Loaded Ziti Bake
Loaded Veggie Baked Ziti is an easy, satisfying vegetarian dinner that layers ziti pasta, marinara sauce, roasted vegetables like cauliflower, bell pepper and onion, and a trio of cheeses including ricotta or cottage cheese, mozzarella and optional Parmesan. It brings the comfort of baked pasta to your table while packing in lots of veggies for a well-rounded, flavorful meal. The roasted vegetables add texture and brightness while helping lighten the dish by replacing some of the pasta.
Prep Time: ~20 minutes
Cook Time: ~60 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
1 medium yellow onion, sliced into wedges
Olive oil and salt for roasting
8 ounces dry ziti, rigatoni or penne pasta
4 cups marinara sauce
¼ cup chopped fresh basil (plus extra for garnish)
8 ounces grated part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, divided
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Spread cauliflower on one sheet and bell pepper plus onion on the other. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and roast 30–35 minutes, tossing once.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain well.
In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with 2 cups marinara, chopped basil and ½ cup mozzarella. Spread 1 cup marinara in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer half the pasta mix, the roasted cauliflower and half the ricotta or cottage cheese. Add ½ cup mozzarella.
Add the remaining pasta, roasted peppers and onions, the remaining cheese, remaining sauce and final mozzarella layer.
Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes. Move to the upper rack for 2–5 more minutes if you want the top browned. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips (FAQ-Style)
Can I add or swap the vegetables?
Yes—zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms or sweet potatoes all work well.
Can this be made ahead?
Yes. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate up to 3 days before baking, or freeze before or after baking.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use your favorite gluten-free pasta blend and ensure the marinara is gluten-free.
Nutrition Summary
A hearty vegetarian pasta bake loaded with veggies and melty cheese.
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~1/8 recipe | ~420–450 kcal | ~18 g | ~48 g | ~16 g | ~4 g | ~7 g |
Nutrition facts are estimated.
