Baked Ziti with Asparagus
Baked Ziti with Asparagus blends tender spears and sweet red pepper with a creamy ricotta–mozzarella filling, all tucked beneath a bright tomato sauce. Each bite is comforting yet fresh, with melted cheese and herbaceous parsley lifting the roasted vegetable flavors. Serve this cozy pasta bake for a casual family dinner or a make-ahead weeknight crowd-pleaser.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook1 hr
- Serves8
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Baked Ziti with Asparagus, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 16
- Heart Health
- 72
- Metabolic
- 26
- Digestive
- 28
- Inflammatory
- 51
- Performance
- 42
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- 2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the ziti until slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- 3
Add ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parsley to the drained pasta. Stir to combine and set aside.
- 4
Cut the trimmed asparagus into 1/4-inch pieces, keeping the stems and tips separate.
- 5
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the asparagus stems and cook for another 3 minutes. Add the bell pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the asparagus tips and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- 6
Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add half of the pasta mixture and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle half of the vegetables on top. Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta in an even layer, followed by the remaining vegetables. Cover with the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- 7
Bake, uncovered, on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Move to the top rack and continue baking until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes more. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
- Calories 351.44 kcal Moderate 18%
- Protein 21.74 g Good Source 43%
- Carbohydrate 17.57 g 6%
- Total Fat 23.57 g High 30%
- Saturated Fat 11.52 g High 58%
- Trans Fat 0.18 g High --
- Cholesterol 67.94 mg High 23%
- Sodium 723.05 mg High 31%
- Dietary Fiber 3.23 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 5.2 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 485.15 mg Good Source 37%
- Iron 1.7 mg Low Source 9%
- Potassium 555.55 mg Moderate 12%
- Vitamin A 259.82 mcg Good Source 29%
- Vitamin C 37.14 mg Good Source 41%
- Vitamin D 0.12 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Baked Ziti with Asparagus is made with 8 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 20 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Asparagus, Diced Yellow Onion, Fresh Parsley, and Mozzarella Cheese. Each serving provides about 351.44 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Baked Ziti with Asparagus made of?
- The main ingredients are Asparagus, Diced Yellow Onion, Fresh Parsley, Mozzarella Cheese, Olive Oil. The full list of 8 is above.
- How long does it take to make Baked Ziti with Asparagus?
- About 1 hr 20 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 351.44 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Baked Ziti with Asparagus easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 8 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Baked Ziti with Asparagus healthy?
- Baked Ziti with Asparagus has an easyChef Pro health score of 43/100. Per serving, it provides 351.44 calories and 21.74 g of protein, or 43% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 723.05 mg (31% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 11.52 g (58% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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