Baked ziti is one of those comforting, stick-to-your-ribs meals that always hits the spot. But when you add zucchini into the mix, something special happens. You get all the cheesy, saucy goodness of the classic dish with a fresh, slightly sweet note from the zucchini. It’s a simple way to sneak in extra veggies while keeping the dish hearty and satisfying.
Zucchini works beautifully in baked pasta dishes. It softens as it bakes, soaking up the tomato sauce and seasoning while adding a subtle texture that complements the pasta without overwhelming it. You can slice it thin and layer it in, or dice it into small chunks and stir it directly into the sauce. Either way, it melts into the dish in the best possible way.
The real magic of baked ziti lies in the layers – tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella all working together to create something deeply comforting. When you add zucchini, you bring in a fresh note that cuts through the richness just enough to keep you going back for another bite.
This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or preparing ahead of time. It’s easy to assemble, forgiving with ingredients, and bakes up into a bubbling, golden-topped casserole that makes the kitchen smell amazing. Pair it with a crisp green salad and some garlic bread, and you’ve got a meal that feels both cozy and well-rounded.
Zucchini baked ziti is one of those recipes that quietly becomes a favorite. It doesn’t shout for attention, but it delivers every time. Whether you’re cooking for family, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just making something for the week ahead, it offers comfort, flavor, and a little extra nourishment all in one pan. It’s proof that even small changes, like adding a humble vegetable, can turn a familiar dish into something fresh and new.
Ingredients
- 3 cups zucchini diced
- 2 cups ziti pasta uncooked
- 2 cups Tomato sauce marinara
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the diced zucchini to the skillet and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, zucchini and tomato sauce mixture, and ricotta cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Yum!
I can’t wait to try this! Looks so cheesy and delicious! 🤤
Zucchini in pasta? That’s odd. Is it really good or just fancy veggie stuff?
Yum! I added some Italian sausage for extra flavor. My kids ate it all up! Huge win in my book.
That sounds delicious! I’ve never thought of adding sausage. I’ll have to try that next time.
Sausage? Is that really a good idea? I thought it was vegetarian? 🥴
Easy to make but I think it could use some more herbs for flavor? Maybe some basil?
Easy to follow & delicious! My whole family loved it. Will make again!
My kids loved it! Even asked for seconds, which is rare! Will def make again.
I’m not sure what I did wrong but mine came out really watery. Not a fan.
Zucchin??? in pasta??? Are you kidding me? I thought this was pasta bake, not veggie mush! 1 star for the effort.
I gotta disagree with you! Zucchini adds a nice twist to pasta! 5 stars for creativity!
I forgot to add salt and it was bland… make sure you don’t skip on seasoning!
This was surprisingly delicious! Never thought zucchini could taste this good with ziti!
I don’t know… zucchini with ziti sounds weird. Like, where’s the meat? Just cheese and veggies ain’t enough for me.
I totally agree! Who knew zucchini could be so tasty? I added some Italian seasoning too, and it was even better!
Skipped the garlic because I forgot it. Still came out fine. Thx!
I am not a fan of zucchini, but this dish was surprisingly OK. Still, I think I would rather stick with regular pasta dishes. Just my opinion.
I think the zucchinis are unnecessary. Just keep it classic ziti with meat sauce!
This was absolutely delicious! Can’t believe how well the zucchini blended with the cheese. Will make it again!
This was sooo good! I added some Italian sausage for extra flavor!
I dunno, the zucchini was kinda soggy and too much cheese for me. Not for everyone I guess.
Too much cheese? Never heard of that! 😂 But hey, everyone’s taste is different. Did you try adding some breadcrumbs for crunch next time?
I understand where you’re coming from! Zucchini can get mushy sometimes. Maybe try squeezing out some moisture next time? It’s a good dish, but I agree, the cheese can be a lot!
Zucchini and pasta? Weird mix, but surprisingly tasty!
I dunno… It seemed like too many cheese types. Just use one or two? Too cheesy!
Meh, just a fancy name for pasta and sauce. Don’t see the hype.
I thought this dish would explode with flavor, but it was kinda bland for me. 🙁