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Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 116 reviews

This hearty baked ziti features tender roasted vegetables layered with al dente pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy cottage and mozzarella cheeses, and fresh basil. Roasting the cauliflower, bell peppers, and onions intensifies their natural sweetness and adds a delightful caramelized flavor, making this dish a comforting and flavorful vegetarian meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1” squares
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into wedges about ½” wide

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt, divided
  • 8 ounces ziti, rigatoni or penne pasta
  • 4 cups (32 ounces) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought), divided
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil, plus extra for garnish
  • 8 ounces (2 packed cups) grated part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 cups (16 ounces) cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Veggies: Preheat your oven to 425°F with racks in the middle and upper third positions. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Toss Vegetables with Oil and Salt: Place the cauliflower florets on one pan, and the red bell peppers and onion on the other. Drizzle each pan with half the olive oil and sprinkle each with half the salt. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  3. Roast Vegetables: Spread the vegetables in an even layer on each pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until tender and caramelized at the edges, tossing the veggies and swapping their positions halfway through baking. Discard any burnt onion pieces and set the roasted vegetables aside while keeping the oven on.
  4. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente according to package instructions, then drain and return to the pot.
  5. Combine Pasta with Sauce and Cheese: Stir 2 cups of marinara sauce, chopped basil, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese into the cooked pasta gently to combine.
  6. Assemble the Baked Ziti – Layer 1: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add half of the pasta mixture, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the roasted cauliflower evenly on top, then add dollops of 1 cup cottage cheese over the cauliflower, followed by ½ cup mozzarella cheese evenly sprinkled.
  7. Assemble the Baked Ziti – Layer 2: Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the mozzarella. Next, sprinkle the roasted bell pepper and onion evenly over the pasta. Add dollops of the remaining 1 cup cottage or ricotta cheese, then dollop the remaining 1 cup marinara sauce over everything. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake: Place a clean rimmed baking sheet on the lower oven rack to catch drippings. Place the assembled ziti on the rack above the catching sheet. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then move to the upper rack and bake 2 to 5 more minutes until the cheese is deeply golden and bubbly if desired.
  9. Rest and Serve: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to set. Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves, slice with a sharp knife, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Cooking pasta al dente is important as it will finish cooking in the oven while baking.
  • Use part-skim mozzarella and either cottage or ricotta cheese for a balanced creamy texture and lower fat content.
  • Roasting vegetables brings out sweetness and adds a nice caramelized flavor.
  • Let the baked ziti rest before serving to help it set and make slicing easier.
  • Substitute any preferred pasta shape such as penne or rigatoni if ziti is unavailable.
  • Use homemade marinara sauce or a good quality store-bought version for the best flavor.

Keywords: baked ziti, roasted vegetables, vegetarian pasta bake, cauliflower, red bell pepper, mozzarella, ricotta, marinara sauce, Italian casserole

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/baked-ziti-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe/