Baked Ziti With Vegetables
Creamy baked ziti with vegetables and tomato sauce offers a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners and vegetarian options, combining fresh peppers, spinach, and mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 medium green and red bell pepper, diced ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. mushrooms, chopped ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dry red wine ⓘ
- 1 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 package frozen spinach ⓘ
- 1/2 cup frozen corn ⓘ
- 8 oz. ziti, cooked ⓘ
- 8 oz. Ricotta cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute peppers in olive oil for 5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms for several minutes.
- Break up tomatoes and add to skillet; add tomato sauce, red wine, basil, salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add spinach and corn; cook until spinach wilts.
- Combine cooked ziti, tomato mixture, Ricotta cheese, and two-thirds of the peppers, then spoon into a prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Garnish with remaining peppers before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using fresh herbs like parsley or thyme in place of dried ones. If you don’t have ziti, any pasta shape works well, or try using whole wheat pasta for a healthier twist. You can substitute the Ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or a dairy-free alternative if desired. Adding a layer of mozzarella on top before baking will enhance the dish further.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Baked Ziti With Vegetables with a side salad dressed with Garlic Romano Vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like garlic bread or a light pesto. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside roasted vegetables or a simple green bean dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of water or extra tomato sauce before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked Ziti With Vegetables contains roughly 703 calories, with 7g protein, 30g carbohydrates, and 61g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (68% of the Daily Value), iron (61% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (50% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1827mg per serving (79% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare Baked Ziti in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Just cover it tightly with foil. When you're ready to bake, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time as it will be cold from the fridge.
What can I use instead of red wine?
If you prefer not to use red wine, consider substituting it with vegetable broth or grape juice for a non-alcoholic option. This will still provide moisture and a touch of sweetness to the sauce without altering the flavor profile significantly.
Can I add more vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate additional vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or carrots based on your preference. This is a great way to boost nutrition and flavor, making it even more aligned with vegetarian recipes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).