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Creamy Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Bake with Veggies

A cozy and flavorful family-friendly dish featuring creamy pasta, sundried tomato pesto, and colorful vegetables, perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 ounces penne pasta Use any pasta shape you prefer.
  • 1 cup sundried tomato pesto Store-bought or homemade pesto works.
  • 1 cup heavy cream For a lighter version, use half-and-half.
Vegetables
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped Can substitute with kale or other greens.
  • 1 large bell pepper, diced Any color bell pepper is fine.
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped Other vegetables can be added as well.
Cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded Feel free to use other melting cheeses.
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated Other hard cheeses can be substituted.
Others
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing vegetables.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Season according to preference.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bell pepper and zucchini, sautéing for about 5 minutes until tender. Add the chopped spinach and cook until just wilted.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, sundried tomato pesto, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir until well coated.
  5. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  2. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
  3. Enjoy your delicious Creamy Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Bake with Veggies!

Notes

Vegetable substitutions like mushrooms or cherry tomatoes are welcome. For different cheese flavors, consider Gruyère or ricotta. Keep an eye on baking to avoid over-browning. If a crispy top is desired, broil for an extra minute while watching closely.