Vegetable Pasta Bake Recipes

EASY VEGETABLE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have an oven-safe 12-inch deep skillet, you can cook the veggies and bake the pasta in it. If you do not, prepare a 3-quart baking dish by lightly greasing with olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and then cook the pasta. Check the package for cook time, but cook the pasta two minutes less than what is recommend on the box (it will continue to cook in the oven). Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Slice the onions and bell peppers into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Using a damp paper towel, brush all dirt from mushrooms. Cut away and discard any hard stems. Chop into 1/4-inch slices or, if there are larger mushrooms like portobello, cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
• Heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil then add the mushrooms, in one layer, and cook until browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir then add the onions and peppers. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes or until the veggies are starting to soften and have some browned edges. Season to taste with salt and black pepper (I usually add 1/4 teaspoon of each).
• Stir the fennel, marinara sauce, and basil into the vegetables. If your skillet is large enough, toss in the pasta and if the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. If the skillet is too small, combine the sauce and pasta in a bowl. Adjust with pasta water, and then add to a baking dish.
• Taste the pasta and adjust with more salt and pepper. Tuck spoonfuls of ricotta around the pasta, and then top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake the pasta, uncovered, until the cheese melts and is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

VEGETARIAN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions for al dente pasta. Drain well and run cool water over it to wash off extra starch and to prevent the pasta from clumping together. Return to the pot. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring often until the onion is softened and starting to brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Add in garlic, bell pepper, mushrooms, Italian seasonings and pepper and cook, stirring often until the vegetables are tender and any excess moisture is evaporated, 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until the spinach is just wilted, about 1 minute.
• Add the vegetable mixture, the crushed tomatoes and basil to the pasta and stir well. If using sausage for flexitarian option add it too.
• Transfer the pasta and veggie mixture to the casserole dish. Dollop the ricotta over the top of the pasta. Top with the shredded cheese.
• Bake until the pasta is bubbling hot and the cheese is melted, about 12 minutes. Let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Combine pasta, sauce, half of mozzarella cheese, vegetables and half of Parmesan cheese.
• Spoon into 13x9 inch baking dish.
• Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until heated through.

VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Mix spaghetti sauce, pasta, vegetables and 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese.
• Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish or 3-quart casserole.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.