Last week I mentioned that pasta is a great "go to" meal for us. Well, last night I threw together a baked pasta dish and it was terrific! Baked pastas are so easy, but can still impress the guests.
Luckily, I had some homemade vegetable pasta sauce in our freezer. So I took that out and boiled up some whole wheat penne pasta. I know some people dislike the whole wheat stuff, but we love it. It doesn't cost much more and the extra fiber and nutritional benefits are so worth it!!
I grated some mozzarella and parmesan and also chopped up some fresh basil. I layered everything in a casserole dish and waited for the bubbling to begin!! We had a scrumptious meal in no time.
Baked Vegetable Pasta
1 box of whole wheat penne pasta
Homemade vegetable pasta sauce or your favorite sauce
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces shredded parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh basil
In a large pot bring water to boil. Add in salt and boil the penne pasta. You don't want to cook it all of the way because it will finish cooking in the oven. I did mine for about 7 minutes.
When the pasta is done, mix it with your sauce of choice in the pot. Add half of the pasta to a casserole dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Add the rest of the pasta/sauce and then finish it off with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with fresh basil.
Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes...or until the pasta is bubbling!!
Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.
Always loved bubbly topping!! And of course, bubbly cheese topping is all better.
ReplyDeleteBubbly cheese is so comforting. Great dish and you're right pasta is a fantastic "go to" meal.
ReplyDeleteEverything is better with cheese on top!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious! Perfect with a nice piece of french bread!
ReplyDeleteThat pasta looks wonderful! I agree about the whole wheat pasta- totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteYum, I love baked pastas too! I make them at least twice a month and love to try different variations - this one looks great! They're also perfect for wintertime coming up. :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it when I have homemade pasta or pizza sauce in the freezer. Nothing compares. This pasta dish looks so tasty. What a great meal!
ReplyDeleteThis looks totally delicious. Nobody can work in the veggies like you two can! I know that this one will be a big hit in our house!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, after living in the same place for about 12 years, I moved (let's see) three times in 2 years. Ziti with sauce and cheese became my standard finally-unpacked-enough-to-cook meal...and I love your vegetable sauce! This looks great.
ReplyDeleteYum! I love pasta. I love it even more when I'm 6 months pregnant! I sent you an award and a meme today...
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful! Yum yum yum!
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful! And I love the whole wheat pasta too. It should make people feel less guilty about eating pasta which I always thought was good for us anyway. But the fiber and protein are such added bonuses.
ReplyDeleteThis looks lovely and that cheese topping makes it irresistable.
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy! I thought I saw zucchini in there! I checked out your sauce recipe and there it was! Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI love using whole wheat pasta too! Your bake looks good!
ReplyDeleteWow - this looks incredible! My husband loves baked pasta - I'll have to try this version!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so delicious - I love the cheesiness...perfect!
ReplyDeleteAnything covered in melted cheese is my favorite food.
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely delicious...I use whole wheat pasta all the time these days and love it too :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a healthy and delicious meal!
ReplyDeleteI get the crusty cheesy corner, ok? This looks fantastic and so warming right about now. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love baked pasta! This is just gorgeous! I never use fresh herbs, I need to get into it!
ReplyDeleteYour pasta looks delicious, I loved baked dishes like this when the weather is cool.
ReplyDeleteoh my, it does look lovely... and you made it so healthy too... :)
ReplyDeleteSimple and delicious. You can't get better than baked and bubbly cheese.
ReplyDeleteI love whole wheat pasta too! I don't see how you can't like it. More flavor, right?
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
Anything that recommends baking until bubbly is totally worth it - looks great!
ReplyDelete-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
pretty colors and melted cheese--that's a pretty fierce combination. :)
ReplyDeletelooks great. and happy halloween. :)
that looks absolutely delicious ..
ReplyDeleteThat is a seriously delicious 'go-to' dish! It's bubbly and golden all over, which is just the way baked pasta should be :) Beautiful work Maria.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so easy and delicious I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteYummy,
ReplyDeleteIt's like a baked ziti without the ricotta!
This is a great Sunday dinner!
I love baked pasta dishes! And I actually like the whole wheat pasta - except for the lasagna noodles. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is, but baked pastas are some of my favorites. SO comforting!
ReplyDelete