Chef Linda
Linda Soper-Kolton, Chef, came to the Sanctuary as a guest chef to share her love of compassionate cooking in our then-fledgling culinary program. Lured by the magic of the Sanctuary, her love of animals and the urgency of our mission, Linda stayed on to lead and grow the culinary program, inspiring and educating with love, patience, and delicious food.
View Recipes

Blog Image

Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Baked Ziti

By Chef Linda

Baked ziti has a special place in my heart. It's been a family favorite for years and when it's made with a quick tofu ricotta that gets stirred in for richness, everybody's happy. Broccoli, cannellini beans, and cherry tomatoes are roasted with garlic and oil while the pasta boils. The tofu ricotta comes together in mere moments and then everything comes together for a quick bake in the oven. (Leave out the ricotta if the beans are hearty enough for you!)

A dish like this is a good reminder that you don't have to get stuck in a rut with the same dishes: simple ingredient swaps are an easy way to make an old dish feel new. And when you're tired of roasted broccoli and tomatoes, try it with asparagus and red peppers!

Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Baked Ziti

Ingredients

Ziti
 1 lb ziti (use gluten-free pasta, if you like)
 1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets
 1 pt cherry tomatoes
 1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
 3 large cloves garlic, very thinly sliced or minced
 2 tbsp olive oil
 2 tsp dried oregano
 ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
 ½ tsp salt
 1 cup shredded vegan mozzarella(use more to suit your taste)
Tofu Ricotta
 1 (14- to 16- ounce) package firm tofu, drained and rinsed
  cup nutritional yeast
 1 tbsp onion powder
 2 tsp olive oil
 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
 ¾ tsp salt

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking tray with parchment. Place broccoli, tomatoes, beans, and garlic on the baking tray and drizzle with the oil. Toss together to ensure everything is coated. Arrange in a single layer on the baking tray and sprinkle with oregano, chili flakes, and salt. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the broccoli tips are starting to brown and crisp up. Remove the tray from the oven and reduce heat to 375ºF.

While the vegetables are roasting, cook pasta (in salted water) according to package directions.

To make the tofu ricotta, finely crumble the tofu into a large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and use your hands to mix well to combine.

Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to bowl with the ricotta and gently stir. Transfer vegetables from the baking tray to the bowl and toss to combine. Add the cooking water to moisten. Empty the contents of the bowl into a lightly oiled 9- by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Serve immediately.

Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Baked Ziti

Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Baked Ziti

DifficultyEasyCook Time30 mins
YIELDS
Serves 8

roasted broccoli baked ziti
INGREDIENTS

Ziti
 1 lb ziti (use gluten-free pasta, if you like)
 1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets
 1 pt cherry tomatoes
 1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
 3 large cloves garlic, very thinly sliced or minced
 2 tbsp olive oil
 2 tsp dried oregano
 ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
 ½ tsp salt
 1 cup shredded vegan mozzarella(use more to suit your taste)
Tofu Ricotta
 1 (14- to 16- ounce) package firm tofu, drained and rinsed
  cup nutritional yeast
 1 tbsp onion powder
 2 tsp olive oil
 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
 ¾ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

1

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking tray with parchment. Place broccoli, tomatoes, beans, and garlic on the baking tray and drizzle with the oil. Toss together to ensure everything is coated. Arrange in a single layer on the baking tray and sprinkle with oregano, chili flakes, and salt. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the broccoli tips are starting to brown and crisp up. Remove the tray from the oven and reduce heat to 375ºF.

While the vegetables are roasting, cook pasta (in salted water) according to package directions.

To make the tofu ricotta, finely crumble the tofu into a large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and use your hands to mix well to combine.

Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to bowl with the ricotta and gently stir. Transfer vegetables from the baking tray to the bowl and toss to combine. Add the cooking water to moisten. Empty the contents of the bowl into a lightly oiled 9- by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Serve immediately.

ShareTweetSaveBigOven

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *