Wednesday, September 15, 2010

It's Been Too Long Veggie Pasta Bake

Hello veggies.  Where have you been?  I'm sorry I've been neglectful and I swear I did kinda miss you, but thank you for coming back to me in such a delicious way.  Gotta love when veggies don't taste like veggies.  This pasta bake tasted like a sinful baked ziti.  I think my favorite part was the eggplant.  Yum!

I did borrow and modify this recipe from another blogger on the healthy living circuit, but I can't for the life of me remember who.  I don't want to not give credit where it is due, so please, if you know where this is from, please let me know so I can link appropriately.  If it helps, I do remember she's a cutie.  That should narrow it down, right?  LOL  In the meantime, I'll keep hunting, but you guys please, enjoy this recipe.  It's delicious and perfect for the cooler weather ahead.

Spicy Sausage and Veggie Pasta Bake

1 zucchini, sliced
2 eggplant, sliced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 lb spicy chicken sausage, sliced
3 cups marinara sauce
1 lb whole wheat penne
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup low fat mozzarella, shredded
olive oil for pot
grated parm if desired

My fixins':
Heat oven to 400.  In a grill pan over medium heat, grill zucchini and eggplant slices for about 4 minutes per side.  Brown sausage in a lightly oiled pan.  Boil pasta, cook, drain and set aside.
In empty pasta pot heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add tomatoes, spices and vinegar.  Cook for 5 minutes, frequently stirring.  Add sauce and chicken sausages.  Stir to combine.  Cook to just heated through.

In your lasagna pan layer the sauce, pasta, veggies and cheese.  Repeat until all ingredients are used.  Top with grated parm if desired.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and browned.
Enjoy!

10 comments:

  1. Yes, I love it when veggies don't taste all veggie-like! The kids will usually eat it better that way too. This one sounds so good with all that cheese! Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, my kids do eat better when I hide the veggies too. :) And everything is better when covered in cheese!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the combination of pasta and veggies...this looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Betty, I think I would prefer to have my veggies in this way and so are my kids. They just hated the green smell. Yours look so delicious. Thanks & enjoy your day.
    Cheers, Kristy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks ladies. It was quite tasty. It is hard to get kids to eat veggies so I have to get creative too, Kristy. I didn't teach them not to like them, I think like you said, it's the color and "green" smell. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love all the veggies! It looks great and perfect for an easy delicious meal!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Zuchini and tomatoes are the perfect marriage! This does look super tasty. =)p

    ReplyDelete