Best 4 Vegetarian Pasta Bake Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to discover the delectable flavors of vegetarian pasta bakes, a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate and nourish your soul. With countless variations to explore, this versatile dish offers a boundless realm of possibilities, catering to diverse dietary preferences and culinary inclinations. From hearty and comforting classics to innovative and modern creations, the vegetarian pasta bake universe beckons you to delve into its depths and unveil the secrets to crafting the perfect dish.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

EASY VEGETABLE BAKED PASTA



Easy Vegetable Baked Pasta image

Vegetable baked pasta loaded with veggies, pockets of ricotta cheese, and topped with melty mozzarella. The vegetables you use can be adapted based on seasonality, check our article above for more suggestions. For a vegan variation, leave out the ricotta and mozzarella and instead stir a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast into the marinara sauce.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound dried pasta; try penne, rigatoni, or ziti pasta
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, about 6 ounces
2 small bell peppers, about 8 ounces
8 ounces mushrooms, 1 1/4 cups sliced
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds or ground fennel, see notes
3 cups marinara sauce or use 1 (28-ounce) jar store-bought sauce
Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn or coarsely chopped
6 tablespoons ricotta cheese
2 cups coarsely shredded cheese; try mozzarella, fontina cheese or an Italian blend
Salt and fresh ground black pepper

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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/8 of the dish, Calories 354, Fat 5.9g, SaturatedFat 1.6g, Cholesterol 13mg, Sodium 731.4mg, Carbohydrate 54.5g, Fiber 5.2g, Sugar 8.9g, Protein 20.3g

VEGETARIAN BAKED PASTA



Vegetarian Baked Pasta image

Portobello mushrooms and Gorgonzola cheese add depth to this simple casserole. Use your favorite pasta shapes for variety.

Provided by BJBEAUDOIN

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta

Time 1h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces portobello mushrooms, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Pour a glass of ice water over the pasta to stop the cooking, but do not rinse thoroughly.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9 x 13 glass pan with olive oil. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet. Add mushrooms. Cook for 2 minutes then add basil, oregano and garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add sauce to mushroom mixture and stir.
  • To assemble, pour enough sauce in the bottom of the pan to cover. Combine the remaining sauce and the pasta. Place one-third of sauced noodles on top of sauce in pan. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella and one-half of the gorgonzola. Repeat for a second layer. Put the final third of the noodles in the pan and top with the final 2 cups of mozzarella.
  • Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until cheese is browned. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 571.5 calories, Carbohydrate 58.3 g, Cholesterol 68.1 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.2 g, Sodium 1036.4 mg, Sugar 11.7 g

BAKED PENNE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES



Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips
2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cremini mushrooms, halved
1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence
1 pound penne pasta
3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.
  • In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined.
  • Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

SPICY VEGGIE PASTA BAKE



Spicy Veggie Pasta Bake image

My dad cooked with cast-iron skillets, so when I do, I remember his amazing culinary skills. I keep the tradition going with my veggie pasta. -Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 cups uncooked spiral pasta
1 medium yellow summer squash
1 small zucchini
1 medium sweet red pepper
1 medium green pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small red onion, halved and sliced
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 jar (24 ounces) spicy marinara sauce
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese and julienned fresh basil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain., Cut squashes and peppers into 1/4-in. julienne strips. In a 12-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, mushrooms and julienned vegetables; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in seasonings. Add marinara sauce and pasta; toss to combine. Top with cheese pearls., Transfer to oven; bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 13g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 32mg cholesterol, Sodium 734mg sodium, Carbohydrate 57g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose the right pasta. Short pasta shapes like penne, macaroni, and shells work best for pasta bakes. They hold the sauce and cheese well, and they cook evenly.
  • Use a flavorful sauce. The sauce is the key to a great pasta bake. Use a sauce that is packed with flavor, such as a tomato sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the bake.
  • Layer the ingredients evenly. When assembling the pasta bake, be sure to layer the ingredients evenly so that each bite is packed with flavor.
  • Top with cheese. A layer of cheese is essential for a gooey, flavorful pasta bake. Use a cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake until bubbly. The pasta bake is ready when it is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Conclusion:

Pasta bakes are a delicious and easy meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make a pasta bake that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these pasta bake recipes a try.

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