Baked Pasta Primavera Recipe ( Veggie Pasta Bake )

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is more budget-friendly.

fresh basil

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Spinach offers similar nutrients, while dried herbs are more affordable.

cherry tomatoes

🥗Healthier: sundried tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Sundried tomatoes provide intense flavor, while canned are cost-effective.

Fill a large pot with water and add salt; bring to a boil.

Pour in penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 2-3 minutes longer than the package suggests.

Drain the pasta and do not rinse; add 2 tablespoons of butter to a baking dish and toss the noodles to coat them with the butter.

In a pan, add some butter and turn the heat to medium; allow the butter to melt and then add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant for about 30 seconds.

Reduce heat to low, sprinkle in flour, and stir until combined; gradually pour in half-and-half and whisk until smooth with no lumps.

Add Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir; season with garlic salt and black pepper.

Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally.

In a cast-iron skillet, turn the heat to medium-high and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil; once hot, add sliced mushrooms and chopped garlic and onions, sautéing for about a minute.

If the pan is dry, add another tablespoon of olive oil; let the veggies cook without stirring for 1-2 minutes to develop color.

Add sliced cherry tomatoes and season with salt and black pepper; turn off the heat and add baby spinach, tossing until slightly wilted.

Transfer the cooked veggies to a baking dish to cool.

Warm the Alfredo sauce in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir; pour the sauce over the pasta, using all or some depending on preference.

Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the cooked veggies, discarding any liquid from the veggies.

Gently mix the pasta and season with salt and black pepper; transfer to 8-inch aluminum trays for melting the cheese.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees; top the pasta with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake until the cheese is brown and melty.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens