Vibrant Summer Vegetable Ziti Recipe: Farm-Fresh Comfort

Nothing beats the vibrant, fresh flavors of summer quite like this summer vegetable baked ziti that bursts with colorful goodness.

Ripe tomatoes, crisp zucchini, and sweet bell peppers dance together in a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that sings of seasonal abundance.

Each forkful delivers a perfect harmony of vegetables and pasta, melted with rich mozzarella and parmesan.

The dish comes together effortlessly, making it an ideal meal for lazy weekend dinners or casual gatherings.

Herbs like basil and oregano add a fragrant touch that amplifies the vegetables’ natural sweetness.

Hearty yet light, this baked ziti transforms simple summer produce into a comforting masterpiece.

You’ll love how this recipe captures the essence of summer on a single plate, promising a delightful culinary experience that celebrates the season’s freshest ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 7

What You’ll Need for Summer Vegetable Baked Ziti

• Ziti Pasta: Hearty base that catches all the delicious sauce and provides satisfying texture.
• Yellow Squash, Zucchini: Summer vegetables adding vibrant color, nutrition, and mild sweetness to the dish.
• Red Grape Tomatoes: Bursting with juicy flavor, perfect for adding bright, fresh notes to the baked ziti.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings depth and complexity to the overall taste.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Rich, smooth oil that helps roast vegetables and adds luxurious mouthfeel.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and elevate the entire dish's flavor profile.
• White Wine Vinegar: Subtle acidic touch that brightens and harmonizes the other ingredients.
• Fresh Basil: Fragrant herb that infuses the dish with classic Italian garden freshness.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, soft cheese that creates a luscious, smooth texture throughout the ziti.
• Romano Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds robust, tangy undertones to the dish.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian sauce providing rich, tomato-based foundation.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, stretchy cheese that creates irresistible golden-brown topping.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Decorative garnish that adds final burst of herbal aroma.

Equipment Guide for Summer Vegetable Baked Ziti

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing pasta, vegetables, and sauce together smoothly.
• Rimmed Baking Sheet: Perfect for roasting vegetables evenly under the broiler.
• 13- x 9-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for assembling and baking the entire ziti casserole.
• Small Bowl: Great for mixing the creamy ricotta cheese mixture.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps with easy cleanup when roasting vegetables.
• Colander: Necessary for draining cooked pasta.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping basil and preparing ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps gently stir ingredients without breaking pasta.

Directions for Summer Vegetable Baked Ziti

• Vegetable Roasting

Toss summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and garlic with olive oil and seasonings on a baking sheet. Broil until vegetables develop a beautiful golden char and become tender.

• Cheese Blend

Create a creamy mixture by combining ricotta, Romano cheese, fresh basil, and a splash of white wine vinegar. This will add richness and depth to the dish.

• Pasta Assembly

Layer your cooked pasta with roasted vegetables and marinara sauce in a baking dish. Spread the delightful cheese mixture between layers, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.

• Final Baking

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and bake until the surface turns golden and the edges become deliciously bubbly. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma.

• Serving

Allow the ziti to rest for a few minutes after baking. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, garden-fresh finish that brings the entire dish to life.

Ziti Customizations & Flavor Boosters

• Summer Veggie Boost: Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, eggplant, or mushrooms to increase nutrition and flavor complexity.
• Protein Power-Up: Mix in cooked ground turkey, chicken, or crumbled Italian sausage for a heartier meal that satisfies meat lovers.
• Cheese Creativity: Swap mozzarella with provolone or use a blend of different Italian cheeses like fontina and parmesan for deeper taste profiles.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 extra minutes to cooking time.

Serving Ziti the Tasty Way

• Fresh Garden Party Plating: Serve this vibrant ziti on rustic wooden boards surrounded by fresh basil sprigs and colorful cherry tomatoes, creating a stunning summer-inspired presentation that celebrates the dish's fresh vegetable medley.
• Cool Sidekick Selections: Pair the ziti with a crisp arugula salad dressed in light lemon vinaigrette or serve alongside grilled garlic bread to complement the rich, cheesy pasta flavors and add textural contrast.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Enhance the meal's enjoyment with a chilled glass of dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, which beautifully cuts through the ziti's creamy cheese and balances the roasted vegetable notes.
• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Prepare this ziti ahead of time by assembling the entire dish and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings with friends and family.

Summer Vegetable Ziti Meal Storage Tips

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe and divide into individual portions for quick weeknight meals. Freeze containers flat to maximize freezer space and ensure easy stacking.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F to maintain the ziti's creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Ingredient Preparation Hack: Chop extra vegetables and store in sealed containers for 2-3 days. This strategy saves time and keeps meal prep streamlined for busy households.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire dish without baking, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate for 24 hours before cooking. This method enhances flavor development and simplifies mealtime preparation.

Creamy Summer Vegetable Baked Ziti Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty summer vegetable baked ziti combines seasonal produce with creamy pasta for a comforting meal. Rich layers of zucchini, tomatoes, and cheese create a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 lb (1.13 kg) yellow squash and zucchini, sliced into ½-inch-thick rounds and half-moons
• 2 pints red grape tomatoes
• 1 lb (454 g) uncooked ziti pasta
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 6 oz (170 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
• 1 (12-oz) jar marinara sauce
• 2 oz (57 g) Romano cheese, grated (about ½ cup)
• 3 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsps kosher salt, divided
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp black pepper, divided
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Preparation: Arrange oven rack near top and activate broiler. Toss squash, zucchini, and tomatoes with minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper on a foil-lined baking sheet, ensuring a single, even layer for optimal caramelization.
2. Roasting Process: Broil vegetables until edges char and texture softens, rotating pan midway through to guarantee uniform browning.
3. Cheese Mixture Creation: Whisk ricotta with romano cheese, chopped basil, white wine vinegar, remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Pasta Integration: Cook pasta in heavily salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain. Combine pasta with roasted vegetables and marinara sauce, gently folding to ensure even distribution.
5. Layering Technique: Transfer half the pasta-vegetable mixture into a rectangular baking dish, strategically spread ricotta mixture across the surface, then add remaining pasta and repeat ricotta placement.
6. Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella uniformly across the top of the assembled dish.
7. Baking Finale: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake until cheese melts and surface develops a golden-brown crust, approximately 25 minutes.
8. Serving Presentation: Remove from oven, allow ziti to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

• Boost Vegetable Flavor: Broiling caramelizes summer vegetables, intensifying their natural sweetness and creating rich, smoky undertones.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushiness when baked in the casserole.
• Cheese Blending Technique: Thoroughly mix ricotta with romano and seasonings to ensure a smooth, well-distributed creamy layer throughout the dish.
• Resting Time Matters: Allow the ziti to rest for 5 minutes after baking, letting flavors meld and helping the casserole set for cleaner, more appealing servings.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg