Vegetarian baked ziti is loaded with fresh vegetables like red bell peppers, mushrooms and spinach. With an easy homemade tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, you won’t miss the meat in this classic comfort food!
Preheat oven to 350F. Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than indicated.
Heat a large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, onions and bell peppers. Cook until onions start to brown slightly and peppers begin to soften about 4 minutes.
Add mushrooms and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cook another 3 minutes, until mushrooms begin to brown and release some of their liquid.
Add garlic and tomato paste, cook for another minute, until tomato paste turns dark red.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, frozen spinach, oregano and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Cook for 5 mins to thicken slightly and for spinach to heat throughout. Stir in ricotta cheese.
Stir in pasta, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 mins until bubbling and heated through.
Turn on the broiler, and broil the pasta for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and browned.
Allow to rest for 10 minutes and sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
If you’re extra short on time, you can skip the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes and add your favorite jar of marinara sauce.
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