Weeknights just got easier with this hearty, healthy, and oh-so-comforting Roasted Vegetable Pasta Bake recipe! Squash, peppers, mushrooms, and onions are tossed in Italian seasoning and baked in the oven to bring our their delicious flavors.
2bell peppersred and green, cut into thin, 1-inch-long slices
1zucchini squashcut in half and then into ½-inch thick slices
1summer squashcut in half and then into ½-inch thick slices
1sweet onioncut into thin, 1-inch-long slices
3Tbsp.oilolive or avocado
1 ½Tbsp.Italian seasoning mixdried, divided
2tsp.saltdivided
½tsp.black pepper
12oz.rotini or fusilli pastacooked 1-2 minutes less than package directions
24oz.spaghetti sauceor marinara
8oz.mozzarella cheeseshredded
½cupbreadcrumbsPanko-style or regular
¼cupParmesan cheesegrated
½tsp.garlic powder
2Tbsp.buttermelted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Roast the Veggies: Spread veggies out in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle oil over veggies and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Toss to combine. Bake veggies in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until veggies are roasted.
2 bell peppers, 1 zucchini squash, 1 summer squash, 1 sweet onion, 3 Tbsp. oil, 1 ½ Tbsp. Italian seasoning mix, 2 tsp. salt, ½ tsp. black pepper
Combine Ingredients: Spray a deep 9 x 13-inch baking pan, or lasagna pan, with non-stick cooking spray. Add cooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese, roasted vegetables, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Toss to combine.
12 oz. rotini or fusilli pasta, 24 oz. spaghetti sauce, 8 oz. mozzarella cheese
Top with Breadcrumbs: In a small bowl combine melted butter, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and remaining 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning. Whisk to combine. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over pasta in the baking dish.
½ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ tsp. garlic powder, 2 Tbsp. butter
Bake, Top, and Serve: Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and bake pasta for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are lightly golden. Let pasta bake sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving with additional Parmesan cheese, finely chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes, to taste.
Video
Notes
*I have successfully used Barilla's gluten-free rotini pasta and Jovial's gluten-free fusilli pasta in this recipe.**Replace mozzarella and Parmesan with dairy-free cheese if vegetarian or vegan and use oil instead of the butter.Prep-Ahead InstructionsFeel free to slice the veggies a day or two in advance. Or, make the dish entirely the day before.Storage DirectionsKeep leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. If you choose to freeze this dish, be sure very little air comes in contact with the pasta and freeze for up to 2 to 3 months. But do note, the texture will change upon thawing. Warm this dish back up in a skillet on the stove with a little water.Recipe Tips
You choose. Grab any type of fresh vegetables you like for this recipe. You can opt for broccoli, green beans, or other even cherry tomatoes.
Make it work. Go with regular or gluten-free pasta.
Be saucy. Be sure the noodles are completely covered in the sauce so they don't get hard during baking.
Just short. Cook the noodles for 1 to 2 minutes less than the box directions.
Save time. Buy pre-shredded or pre-grated cheese from the store.