Creamy, comforting and hearty, this veggie-packed pasta bake is a vegetarian dish that’ll satisfy anyone. Zucchini, carrots and spinach are mixed with pasta in a creamy Parmesan-mozzarella sauce and baked until warm and bubbly. The finishing touch of toasted, buttery panko bread crumbs adds a crunch that’s oh-so satisfying. Perfect for when you’re craving a baked pasta that goes beyond basic red sauce.
Ingredients
1 1/4
cups uncooked penne pasta (5 oz)
3
tablespoons butter
1
medium carrot, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1
medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2
cloves garlic, finely chopped
3
tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/4
teaspoon salt
1/4
teaspoon pepper
1/8
teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8
teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2
cups milk
1
cup baby spinach
3/4
cup shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)
1/3
cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3
cup Progresso™ Italian style panko crispy bread crumbs
Steps
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1Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
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2Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add carrot; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add zucchini; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg and pepper flakes; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add spinach; stir until wilted. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Stir in pasta; pour mixture into pan.
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3Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly around edges and heated through. Let stand 10 minutes.
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4Meanwhile, in 3-inch skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add bread crumbs; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Sprinkle over baked pasta.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 2 Cups
- Calories
- 900
- Calories from Fat
- 340
% Daily Value
- Total Fat
- 37g
- 57%
- Saturated Fat
- 22g
- 108%
- Trans Fat
- 1 1/2g
- Cholesterol
- 100mg
- 33%
- Sodium
- 1390mg
- 58%
- Potassium
- 880mg
- 25%
- Total Carbohydrate
- 101g
- 34%
- Dietary Fiber
- 6g
- 24%
- Sugars
- 14g
- Protein
- 38g
% Daily Value*:
- Vitamin A
- 180%
- 180%
- Vitamin C
- 15%
- 15%
- Calcium
- 80%
- 80%
- Iron
- 25%
- 25%