This Greek Baked Ziti is an easy vegan version of a traditional comfort food, with a special Mediterranean twist. Combining orzo with olives, an easy tomato sauce, and a stunning homemade vegan cheese sauce.
It’s comfort food, it’s creamy, it’s addictive. So addictive that you will have a hard time not to munch away the whole bowl.
Curious already? Let me tell you, you have all the reasons to be curious and get excited about my new Greek Baked Ziti. No secret that this one is vegan and glutenfree.
Do you also have dishes that you loved before you were vegan and haven’t had ever since? This recipe is inspired by one of my favorite comfort foods of pre vegan times: Baked Ziti. So it was high time that I tackled this one and made a plant-based version. And while I was having a go at it, I decided to give this classic comfort dish a new spin.
It has definitely been too long that I enjoyed a Baked Ziti. Easy and simple. I am sure you all have your own favorites. It’s no secret I could live off Mediterranean food and have recently developed a crush on Greek food. A crush so big that it was only a matter of time until I jumped at the chance to combine my two loves. The result is a Greek Baked Ziti which is absolutely drool-worthy and will make you forget the traditional original in no time.
There are two ingredients in this recipe which give it the Greek twist: olives and orzo. You have come across olives in many of my recipes before: the Olive Hummus, for example, or the Vegan Wraps with Spicy Orange-Olive Tapenade. Orzo has been new to me. I’ve never tried it in a recipe before.
Orzo is originally not gluten free but I was excited to find a gluten free orzo for those of you are suffering from celiac disease. This stuff is super easy to use.
Why my Greek Baked Ziti is so special!
What more does a Greek Baked Ziti need? How about a tomato sauce for a start? I keep that one pretty basic. Take crushed tomatoes, an onion, mushrooms and some spices and you are all set! But even more important for the whole dish’s texture and flavor is the vegan cheese sauce that tops it. I must be full of flavor, creamy, and rich – but we don’t want any oil or artificial flavors. Well, no need for despair because we have one of nature’s most amazing ingredients waiting for us: cashew nuts. Incredibly flavorful and extremely healthy at the same time. Blend them with a little water and vegetable broth and you have a lightning-fast homemade vegan cheese sauce you can use in all sorts of casserole dishes, or scalloped recipes etc.
So go ahead and don’t wait to treat yourself to this amazingly rich and tasty Greek Baked Ziti. No promises that you will be able to resist from eating it all in one go. Tell me what you think of it. I’m curious for a comment below, on Facebook or on Instagram. Love seeing your photos and hearing your feedback.
Servings 6
This Greek Baked Ziti is an easy vegan version of a traditional comfort food, with a special Mediterranean twist. Combining orzo with olives, an easy tomato sauce, and a stunning homemade vegan cheese sauce.
10 minPrep Time
15 minCook Time
25 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 1/2 cups (200 g) cashews
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) Water
- 1 teaspoon organic vegetable broth
- 1 14 oz (400 g) can chopped tomatoes
- 8 oz (250 g) mushrooms
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic (optional)
- salt, pepper to taste
- 14 oz (400 g) gf orzo
- 3.5 oz (100 g) Kalamata Olives, pitted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 390°F/200°C.
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
- Wash the mushrooms and peel the onion. Chop both and transfer to a small sauce pan.
- Add tomatoes and bring slowly to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic.
- Cook the orzo according to the manufacturer's instructions. When drained mix with the tomato sauce and transfer to a casserole. Top with the vegan cheese sauce and olives. Bake for about 15-20 minutes.
