Vegetarian Baked Ziti
Wanna pack this baked ziti with even MORE veggies? Try throwing in some chopped red peppers, sliced zucchini, or swap the spinach for kale! Just because it's carb-y and cheesy doesn't mean it has to be totally unhealthy. Ingredients 1 lb.ziti pasta 1 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil 1medium onion, chopped 2cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp.tomato paste 1 tsp.dried or fresh oregano 1(28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes 1 1/2 c.fresh ricotta 1(10-oz). package frozen spinach, drained and chopped Zest of 1/2 lemon 1/2 tsp.crushed red pepper flakes Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp.thinly sliced basil, plus more for garnish 1/2 c.grated Parmesan...
Wanna pack this baked ziti with even MORE veggies? Try throwing in some chopped red peppers, sliced zucchini, or swap the spinach for kale! Just because it’s carb-y and cheesy doesn’t mean it has to be totally unhealthy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb.ziti pasta
- 1 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
- 1medium onion, chopped
- 2cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp.tomato paste
- 1 tsp.dried or fresh oregano
- 1(28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 c.fresh ricotta
- 1(10-oz). package frozen spinach, drained and chopped
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 tsp.crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp.thinly sliced basil, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 c.grated Parmesan
- 2 c.shredded mozzarella
Directions
-
- Step 1Preheat oven to 350°. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until very al dente; drain.
- Step 2In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes minutes.
- Step 3Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and oregano and cook 2 minutes more, until slightly darkened. Add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and flavors have melded, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.
- Step 4While sauce is reducing, stir to combine combine ricotta, spinach, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.
- Step 5In a large bowl, combine sauce and pasta. Fold in ricotta mixture, leaving large clumps. Spread about half of the pasta mixture into the bottom of a large casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan over the pasta. Top with the rest of the pasta mixture and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
- Step 6Cover with foil and bake until cheese is bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with more basil before serving.
Jessica Williams
Michael Johnson
