If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s bursting with flavor, look no further than this hearty Vegetable Pasta Bake.

This dish combines the beloved flavors of pasta, marinara sauce, and gooey cheese with a medley of colorful vegetables for a wholesome and satisfying meal. With its origins rooted in Italian cuisine, pasta bake recipes have long been cherished for their simplicity and versatility.

While some recipes may seem daunting to beginners, fear not! This Vegetable Pasta Bake is here to prove that delicious meals can be both effortless and enjoyable to prepare.

Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or entertaining guests for a casual dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress with its vibrant colors and rich flavors.

Expert Tip: Don’t overcook the pasta during the initial boiling stage, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Aim for al dente pasta for the best texture.

Ingredients

Pasta: Pasta serves as the hearty base of this dish, providing a satisfying texture and soaking up the flavors of the sauce and vegetables.

Pasta Sauce: The pasta sauce adds depth and richness to the dish, infusing it with savory tomato flavor.

Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, stretchy mozzarella cheese adds a creamy texture and irresistible cheesy goodness to every bite.

Oil: Olive oil is used for sautéing the garlic, onions, and vegetables, enhancing their flavors and preventing sticking.

Zucchinis: Zucchinis add a mild sweetness and crisp texture to the pasta bake, along with a boost of nutrients.

Red and Green Bell Peppers: These colorful peppers bring a pop of color, sweetness, and crunch to the dish, elevating its visual appeal and flavor profile.

Garlic and Onion: These aromatic ingredients form the flavor base of the dish, infusing it with savory depth and complexity.

Salt and Black Pepper: Seasonings like salt and black pepper are essential for balancing flavors and enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

Basil: Fresh basil leaves are used as a fragrant garnish, adding a hint of herbal freshness to the finished pasta bake.

Expert Tip: For extra flavor, sauté the vegetables until they are caramelized and slightly charred around the edges.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the Vegetable Pasta Bake hot straight from the oven, garnished with freshly chopped basil leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
• Pair this dish with a simple green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the pasta bake.
• For a heartier meal, serve the pasta bake alongside garlic bread or toasted baguette slices for dipping into the sauce.
• This dish also makes excellent leftovers and can be enjoyed reheated for lunch the next day or repurposed into a pasta salad by chilling it and adding some extra veggies and a tangy dressing.

Expert Tip: Experiment with different pasta shapes for variety. Fusilli, rigatoni, or farfalle would all work well in this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on your preferences or what’s in season. Mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, or eggplant would all make delicious additions or substitutions.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Certainly! While mozzarella cheese adds a classic gooey texture, you can experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or a blend of Italian cheeses for unique flavor variations.

How long does this pasta bake keep in the refrigerator?

Stored in an airtight container, this pasta bake can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Can I freeze leftovers of this dish?

Yes, this pasta bake freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer individual portions to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the pasta bake ahead of time and refrigerate it, covered, until you’re ready to bake it. This is a great option for meal prep or entertaining, as it allows you to have a delicious homemade meal ready to go with minimal effort.

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Vegetable Pasta Bake

by Nabeela Kauser

Indulge in a flavourful feast with this delightful Vegetable Pasta Bake. It's a rich, hearty dish that combines al dente Penne pasta with a medley of vegetables and a generous topping of melted cheese.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian, Western

Servings 6

Calories 496 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 500 g Pasta
• ▢ 500 g Pasta Sauce
• ▢ 200 g Mozzarella Cheese
• ▢ 2 tbsp Oil
• ▢ 2 Zucchinis sliced
• ▢ 1 Red Bell Pepper sliced
• ▢ 1 Green Bell Pepper sliced
• ▢ 3 cloves Garlic minced
• ▢ 1 Onion diced
• ▢ Salt to taste
• ▢ Black Pepper to taste
• ▢ Basil to garnish

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
• Cook the Penne pasta according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions, sauté until they become fragrant and the onions are translucent.
• Add the zucchini and bell peppers to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté the vegetables until they are slightly tender.
• Combine the cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, and marinara sauce in a large mixing bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the sauce.
• Transfer the pasta and vegetable mixture into a baking dish. Top it with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
• Allow the pasta bake to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

This Vegetable Pasta Bake is a versatile dish. You can add other vegetables of your choice if you’d like.

Make sure to adjust the cooking time as necessary depending on the additional vegetables used. Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal.

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 496kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 21gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 706mgFibre: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 823IUVitamin C: 38mgVitamin D: 0.1µgCalcium: 219mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Baking, Dinner, Food, Pasta, Recipe, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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