Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

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5 from 9 votes

An easy to make baked Ziti with mushrooms and homemade vegan cheese sauce! This recipe contains only simple ingredients and requires less than 20 minutes of prep time. Your family will love this healthy vegan comfort food.

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (1)

Vegan Baked Ziti

I am sure you know how much I love all kind of casseroles/bakes. They are super comforting, easy to make, and taste delicious! Do you love vegan lasagna but fear it is too complicated to make? Try this vegan baked Ziti recipe which is equally delicious but much easier and quicker!

I love this baked Ziti recipe because of the following reasons:

  1. It requires less than 20 min of prep time.
  2. It’s 100% vegan (dairy-free).
  3. It contains only simple ingredients.

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (2)

What Is Baked Ziti?

As per Wikipedia: Baked ziti is a popular casserole made with ziti pasta and a Neapolitan-style tomato-based sauce characteristic of Italian-American cuisine. It is a form of pasta al forno.

Typically, the ziti are first boiled separately while a tomato sauce is prepared, which may include cheese, ground meat, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and more. The cooked and drained ziti are then combined with the sauce, which may be layered with additional varieties of cheeses, baked in the oven, and served hot.

Now before everyone (especially Italians) gets angry at me… Yes, I didn’t use Ziti noodles. I used “Penne” because I prefer eating gluten-free pasta and gluten-free Penne is easily available where I live! However, you can make this recipe with Ziti noodles or any kind of pasta (e.g. Rigatoni), of course! No big deal! 😀

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (3)

How to Make A Vegan Baked Ziti?

You know, I always try to make my recipes as simple as possible and this one is no exception. I took 8 step-by-step photos for you, which you can see below. Here is what you need to do to make your vegan baked Ziti:

  1. First, you need to cook the pasta and chop the mushrooms.
  2. Fry mushrooms in the pan.
  3. Prepare the flavorful marinara sauce and pour some of it into the casserole dish.
  4. Add pasta to the casserole dish.
  5. Top with mushrooms.
  6. Add the remaining sauce,
  7. And stir to combine.
  8. Finally, top with the best homemade vegan cheese sauce and bake in the oven until perfection!

I promised you that it’s going to be super easy. There is really no excuse not to try this recipe. 🙂

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (4)Variations

I love making this baked Ziti with mushrooms because mushrooms will always remain my favorite. However, if you aren’t a mushroom fan, simply leave them out or replace them with one of the following ingredients:

  • Zucchini
  • Bell Pepper
  • Tomatoes

I love that this baked Ziti is so versatile and easy to make!

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (5)

Simple Baked Ziti Ingredients

You probably already have most (if not all) of the simple ingredients at home. Here is what you will need for this recipe:

  • Ziti or Penne or Rigatoni noodles (regular or gluten-free)
  • Marinara sauce
  • Mushrooms
  • Garlic
  • Soy sauce
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Plant-based milk
  • Nutritional yeast flakes
  • Tapioca flour
  • Different spices

You can use store-bought vegan cheese instead of my homemade vegan cheese sauce of course. It takes only a few minutes to make and it doesn’t contain cashews. Another bonus is that you won’t need a blender or food processor! But if you already happen to have store-bought vegan cheese in your fridge, go ahead and use it. 🙂

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (6)

Some Helpful Tips

  • Prepare the marinara sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It saves time and is more convenient.
  • You can also cook the noodles ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to assemble the casserole. I prefer it when the pasta is freshly cooked though!
  • Don’t overcook the pasta otherwise, it will get mushy in the casserole dish!
  • Use a broiler (if available) for the last 3-4 minutes of the baking time to achieve a nice browning.

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (7)

This Vegan Baked Ziti is:

  • Dairy-free
  • Oil-free
  • Relatively low-fat
  • Creamy
  • Satisfying
  • Hearty
  • Comforting
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients
  • Perfect for families with kids
  • Much healthier than other baked Ziti recipes

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (8)

Should you recreate this healthy vegan baked Ziti recipe, please leave a comment and rating below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your remakes! If you love casseroles definitely also check out the following recipes:

  • Easy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
  • Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
  • Cheesy Pasta Bake
  • Creamy Potato Bake
  • Vegan Moussaka

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (10)

Vegan Baked Ziti

Author: Michaela Vais

An easy to make baked Ziti with mushrooms and homemade vegan cheese sauce! This recipe contains only simple ingredients and requires less than 20 minutes of prep time. Your family will love this healthy vegan comfort food.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 18 minutes mins

Cook Time 17 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Casserole, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Calories 418 kcal

Ingredients

  • 9 oz (250 g) Ziti noodles or similar shape (e.g. Rigatoni, Penne)
  • 20 oz (560 g) marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 batch vegan cheese sauce or store-bought vegan cheese
  • One 15 oz can mushrooms or use fresh
  • 1/2 tbsp oil or use water if oil-free
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • Fresh herbs to garnish

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packaging but reduce the cooking time by about one minute. The pasta should be al dente and not mushy!

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

  • Chop mushrooms and mince the garlic cloves.

  • Heat oil (or water) in a skillet over medium heat, add mushrooms, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes.

  • In a medium-sized bowl or saucepan combine marinara sauce, minced garlic, oregano, onion powder, paprika, smoked paprika, a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and pepper. Stir with a whisk or a spoon to combine.

  • Pour some sauce into the casserole dish (mine measures 9"x6" resp. 23x15 cm but you can also use a 8x8 pan) and add cooked pasta.

  • Top with mushrooms, add the remaining marinara sauce and stir to combine.

  • Make a batch of my vegan cheese sauce and pour it on top. You can, of course, also use store-bought vegan cheese of choice!

  • Bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. You can use a broiler for the last 3-4 minutes if you like. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving.

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Baked Ziti

Amount per Serving

Calories

418

% Daily Value*

Fat

12

g

18

%

Carbohydrates

56

g

19

%

Fiber

11

g

44

%

Sugar

12

g

13

%

Protein

15

g

30

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Equipment

8x8 pan*

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (11) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

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Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (12)

Easy Vegan Baked Ziti With Mushrooms | Healthy Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

Should you bake ziti covered or uncovered? ›

Should I cover Baked Ziti while it's baking? Yes. Cover loosely with foil so it doesn't stick to the cheese, then bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil so the cheese can go bubbly and golden!

Is baked ziti the same as lasagna? ›

Lasagna uses... well, lasagna noodles! The noodles are stacked in a baking dish with cheese and sauce between each layer. Baked ziti, however, uses ziti noodles that are tossed with sauce and cheese.

How do you keep baked ziti from drying out? ›

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil in order to keep all the moisture. This will keep the pasta from drying out. Another tip is to add around ¼ cup of water to the dish to help prevent a dried out baked ziti.

Why is my baked ziti so watery? ›

Why is my pasta bake watery? There are a couple of reasons why your pasta bake might be runny. Sauce that is thick at room temperature or from the fridge will thin out in the hot oven. It is better to have a thicker sauce at the beginning, so it will be the right consistency after cooking.

What can I use instead of ricotta cheese in baked ziti? ›

If you're simply looking to substitute another cheese for ricotta without the extra step, cottage cheese is the most similar, and cream cheese and mascarpone are also worthy replacements (via Izzy Cooking).

Does baked ziti contain ricotta cheese? ›

Tomato sauce, ziti, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. What is ziti made of? It's a classic Italian American comfort food of pasta baked with sausage, tomato sauce and all kinds of gooey, yummy cheeses. A bit like Lasagne but much easier!

Do they eat baked ziti in Italy? ›

Baked Ziti is a popular Italian-American dish that is not commonly found in Italy. It is a casserole-style pasta that typically consists of ziti pasta, tomato sauce, cheese (usually a combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan), and added ingredients like meat or vegetables.

What do Italians call ziti? ›

Ziti is a hollow, tube-shaped pasta, and it's also the name of a baked, cheesy dish you can make with ziti. In Italian, ziti is short for maccheroni di zita, or "macaroni of the bride." This probably comes from ziti's longstanding popularity as part of a wedding buffet, particularly in Southern Italy.

Can I prep baked ziti the night before? ›

Yes, the dish can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance. Bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout.

Is it safe to eat baked ziti left out overnight? ›

Scientists have discovered that bacteria in cooling pasta can grow rapidly every 20 minutes, Even if you put the pasta in the fridge overnight, it would be inedible the following day. The longest time you can keep pasta at room temperature is two hours. But only if you keep it from hot or any contaminated surfaces.

How long can baked ziti sit out before it goes bad? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food and safety basics states cooked food can be left at room temperature up to two hours. If the temperature outside (or inside your house) is 90°F or above, you should cut that time in half.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta? ›

Ricotta Substitutes

If you don't have ricotta on hand, here are six totally solid substitutes. Cottage cheese: As far as ricotta substitutes go, light and mild cottage cheese is your best bet. In fact, some people prefer to use cottage cheese because it has a similar flavor and fewer calories.

Can I substitute penne for ziti in baked ziti? ›

Ziti, of course! Another tube-shaped pasta, such as penne or rigatoni, would work nicely too. Marinara sauce – If I have the time, I like to use my homemade marinara sauce here, which comes together with a quick 20-minute simmer on the stove.

Should you cook pasta covered or uncovered? ›

Cover your pan with a lid to help bring the water up to the boil more quickly, then remove the lid once the water is boiling or reduce the temperature slightly to stop it bubbling over. Add the pasta to the water once it's boiling, never before, and cook without the lid.

Should pasta be covered while baking? ›

Should you cover the pasta when cooking it? It's okay to put a lid on the pot while you are waiting for the water to boil. However, after it starts to boil and you add the pasta to the water, you should remove the lid to prevent the water from bubbling over.

Do you cook Baked Ziti covered or uncovered reddit? ›

I boil my pasta to just under a minute of “al dente” and then after my layering it typically bake it uncovered because I want the crusty cheese on top.

Should I bake my lasagna covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until cheese is golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

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