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Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables

A classic dish that combines pasta, cheese, and roasted vegetables for a warm and satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 75 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into wedges about ½ inch wide
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt, divided
  • 8 ounces ziti, rigatoni, or penne pasta
  • 4 cups marinara sauce, divided
  • 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

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Make sure the racks are in the middle and upper third of the oven.
  2. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Place the cauliflower florets on one sheet and the bell peppers and onion on the other.
  4. Drizzle half of the olive oil over each pan, sprinkle with salt, and toss the vegetables to coat. Spread them out in a single layer.
  5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, swapping the sheets halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
  6. While the vegetables roast, fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
  7. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add 2 cups of marinara sauce, chopped basil, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese; stir well to combine.
  8. In a 9 by 13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom. Add half of the pasta mixture, layer with roasted cauliflower, then dollop with 1 cup of cottage cheese.
  9. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, roasted bell peppers and onion, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and top with the rest of the mozzarella.
  10. Bake uncovered on a rimmed baking sheet for 30 minutes, transferring to the upper rack for the last 2 to 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
  11. Let cool for about 10 minutes, top with extra basil, slice into servings, and serve.

Notes

This dish can be customized with different vegetables or cheeses to suit your taste.

  • Author: miguel-santiago
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: baked ziti, roasted vegetables, vegetarian pasta, comfort food, Italian recipe