Meatless Italian Macaroni Bake Recipes

CLASSIC MEATLESS BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Cook the penne pasta according to package directions.
• Drain the pasta in a colander.
• In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan
• cheese, eggs, garlic, parsley and Italian seasoning to a large bowl and stir to combine well
• In a 9x13 baking dish, add half of the sauce and spread evenly all around the dish.
• Add the cooked/ drained pasta to cheese mixture and toss well to coat
• Add the pasta mixture to the baking dish spread evenly.
• Top with remaining sauce, then the other 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the oven for 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and slightly brown.
• Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes

PASTA AL FORNO (BAKED PASTA THE ITALIAN WAY)

Steps:

• Chop the carrot, onion, garlic and celery finely.
• Fry the vegetables in olive oil until they are softening. Be careful not to allow them to burn!
• Add the minced meat and cook until browned.
• Then add the tomato concentrate and stir well
• Add the glass of wine and stir well again
• When the wine has evaporated pour in the tomato pulp and mix it in well with the meat.
• Add the basil leaves and salt and pepper as required.
• Cover the sauce and allow to simmer on a low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. If it gets too thick add some water.
• 15 minutes before the sauce is ready add the peas.
• Put salted water on to boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta 2-3 minutes less than instructed on the packet. Strain and add the pasta to the meat sauce when it is ready.
• Mix the pasta and sauce well and allow to cool.
• Put a layer of pasta with sauce on the bottom of an oven dish.
• Make another layer with thick pieces of mozzarella.
• Add another layer of pasta with meat sauce and again some mozzarella
• Finish with a layer of pasta.
• Sprinkle with parmesan and bake in a pre-heated oven 180-200° until the top layer starts to crisp (30-40 mins)

MEATLESS ITALIAN MACARONI BAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
• 2. In a 3-quart saucepan, cook the macaroni in boiling water until tender. Drain well. (If you decide to use Rotini pasta in place of the elbow macaroni, be sure to use at least 2-1/2 cups, and cook the pasta for 10 minutes.)
• 3. Add the drained macaroni back into the pan, then add in the mayonnaise, stewed tomatoes, a 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella, and the Italian seasoning; stir the ingredients.
• 4. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish.
• 5. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella over the casserole, and bake uncovered in the oven for 20 minutes.
• 6. Before serving, I lightly sprinkle a bit of dried parsley flakes on top the casserole. Also, you'll notice this recipe doesn't state to add any salt or pepper. I add those spices to my plate when seated at the table.
• 7. *Note: When making this casserole, you can substitute another type of pasta for the macaroni. Sometimes I'll use Radiatore Pasta, or even Rotini. (I do however, cook the Radiatore Pasta for 10 minutes.) I have also prepared this meatless casserole using a four cheese blend, instead of the mozzarella cheese. Surprisingly it turned out to be quite good. (See additional photos which I added.) One more thing, you can also substitute a can of diced tomatoes (which has basil, garlic & oregano in it), for the stewed tomatoes.