Name: Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 400 g (14 oz) dried pasta shapes (rigatoni); 1 tbsp oil (avocado oil or olive oil); 1 large red onion (peeled and chopped into wedges); 1 red bell pepper (de-seeded and chopped into large chunks); 1 yellow bell pepper (de-seeded and chopped into large chunks); 1 large or 2 small courgette (zucchini, chopped into chunks); 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced); 1 tbsp tomato puree (paste for US); 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 2 x 400 g (2 x 14 oz) tinned chopped tomatoes; 120 ml (1/2 cup) double (heavy) cream; 100 g (3 packed cups) fresh baby spinach; 100 g (1 cup) strong cheddar cheese (grated); 100 g (1 cup) mozzarella (grated); small bunch parsley (roughly torn)

Description

This delicious cheesy vegetable pasta bake is a comforting dish packed with flavor and healthy ingredients, perfect for the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

400 g (14 oz) dried pasta shapes (rigatoni)
1 tbsp oil (avocado oil or olive oil)
1 large red onion (peeled and chopped into wedges)
1 red bell pepper (de-seeded and chopped into large chunks)
1 yellow bell pepper (de-seeded and chopped into large chunks)
1 large or 2 small courgette (zucchini, chopped into chunks)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
1 tbsp tomato puree (paste for US)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 x 400 g (2 x 14 oz) tinned chopped tomatoes
120 ml (1/2 cup) double (heavy) cream
100 g (3 packed cups) fresh baby spinach
100 g (1 cup) strong cheddar cheese (grated)
100 g (1 cup) mozzarella (grated)
small bunch parsley (roughly torn)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F (fan).
Boil a large pan of water and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than recommended on the pack. Drain.
Whilst the pasta is cooking, heat the oil on a medium heat, in a large frying pan. Add the red onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion starts to soften.
Add the chopped peppers, courgette, salt, pepper, garlic, tomato puree, oregano, and thyme. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the tinned tomatoes and cream, bring to a gentle bubble.
Once the pasta is cooked drain and add the pasta and spinach to the sauce and veggies. Stir everything together, then transfer to a large baking dish.
Top with the cheddar and mozzarella, and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown.
Take out of the oven and top with parsley before serving.

Notes

This dish can be served as a main course or a side dish.
Feel free to substitute any vegetables you have on hand.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Pasta
Method: bake
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 15 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg