Description
Creamy Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Bake with Veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne (rigatoni, or ziti)
- 1 zucchini (chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¾ cup sundried tomato pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente — slightly undercooked. It will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add zucchini, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for 5–7 minutes until tender. Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Add spinach last and cook just until wilted.
- Lower the heat and stir in the sundried tomato pesto and cream. Let the mixture gently simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated with the sauce and vegetables.
- Transfer everything to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden. For a crispier top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta