Veggie-Pasta Bake
In the mood for some basic comfort food and don’t have time to slave in the kitchen all day? Consider this delicious veggie and pasta casserole. A few bites will transport you back to your childhood when simple flavors melted your cares away! Vary the veggies according to your family’s tastes and what’s available locally. Need to “go” vegetarian? Simply replace the ground beef or turkey with your favorite beans.
Servings: 6 to 8
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole-grain dry pasta fusilli, penne, rigatoni, etc.
- Olive oil spray
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion like Vidalia, chopped
- 1 medium zucchini chopped
- 1 medium yellow squash chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or beef
- 2 -28 ounce cans Muir Glen Chunky Tomato Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese optional
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain; set aside. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with olive oil spray.
- In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil on medium-high setting until hot. Add vegetables; sauté for 6 to 8 minutes or until softened and lightly browned. Remove to a bowl. In the same pan, sauté ground turkey or beef for 6 to 8 minutes or until meat is completely cooked through with no pink color remaining. Drain off any fat. Return vegetables to pan along with cooked meat. Stir in tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer sauce on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cooked pasta, coating evenly with sauce. Pour pasta mixture into casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. (if using) Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Casserole may be made up to 3 days ahead; cover tightly and refrigerate. Reheat, covered at 325 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until hot.
Notes
Time-crunched during the week? Make this casserole on the weekend for a quickie dinner or freeze for later use. Need a gluten-free pasta alternative? Look for Tinkyada’s or Lundberg Family Farms rice pasta selections, available in some supermarkets and specialty food stores such as Whole Foods.