Hearty Vegetable Layered Pasta Bake
Indulge in this delightful layered pasta bake, brimming with vibrant vegetables and creamy low-fat cheeses. This dish combines the satisfying textures of rotini pasta, tender zucchini, and a rich tomato sauce, all while keeping it healthy with minimal oil and lower-fat ingredients. Each bite is packed with flavor and comfort, making it the perfect vegetarian meal for family dinners or gatherings. Additionally, the colorful layers create an appetizing presentation, ensuring this bake will be the star of your table. Feel free to add a meat layer for those who desire extra protein. Serve with a crisp salad for a wholesome meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rotini pasta
12 ounces (Cooked and drained)
Low-fat spaghetti sauce
26 ounces (Divided)
Part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup (Unprepared)
Fat-free cottage cheese
1/2 cup (Unprepared)
Garlic cloves
3 (Minced)
Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons (Grated)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Unprepared)
Zucchini
2 small (Chopped)
Onion
1/2 (Diced)
Olive oil
1 teaspoon (For sautéing)
Dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon (Unprepared)
Dried basil
1 teaspoon (Unprepared)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (Unprepared)
Water
1 tablespoon (For sautéing)
Reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup (Shredded)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions, until it's slightly undercooked. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
3
Pour about 2/3 of the spaghetti sauce over the warm pasta, tossing it gently to coat. Set it aside to cool.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Stir until well combined and smooth, then set the mixture aside.
5
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped zucchini, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté the vegetables until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and water. Continue cooking until the water has evaporated, making sure not to burn the onions. Set the sautéed mixture aside.
6
Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Start layering the casserole by placing about half of the cooled pasta on the bottom, pressing it down gently with the back of a spoon.
7
Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer. Next, add the sautéed zucchini and onion mixture, pressing it down lightly.
8
Sprinkle about half of the reduced-fat mozzarella cheese over the vegetable layer.
9
Top with the remaining pasta, followed by the last portion of spaghetti sauce spread evenly over the top.
10
Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
11
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, removing the foil for the last 5 minutes to allow the cheese to brown slightly.
12
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving for best slicing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetable Layered Pasta Bake?
It is a delightful vegetarian pasta dish featuring rotini, vibrant vegetables like zucchini, and a blend of creamy low-fat cheeses.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian, although it notes that a meat layer can be added for extra protein if desired.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of rotini pasta.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the casserole.
How should the pasta be cooked before layering?
The pasta should be boiled in salted water for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions until it is slightly undercooked.
What cheeses are needed for the filling?
The cheese mixture includes part-skim ricotta cheese, fat-free cottage cheese, and grated parmesan cheese.
How many calories or fat grams are in this recipe?
The specific nutritional values for calories, fat, and carbohydrates are not provided in the source data, but it is described as a low-fat and healthy meal.
What vegetables are used in the sautéed layer?
The sautéed mixture consists of 2 small chopped zucchinis, half a diced onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves.
How much spaghetti sauce is required?
The recipe requires 26 ounces of low-fat spaghetti sauce, divided during the assembly process.
What spices provide the flavor for the vegetables?
The vegetables are seasoned with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
Why is water added during the vegetable sauté?
A tablespoon of water is added to help cook the vegetables until they are tender-crisp; you should cook until the water has evaporated.
How much olive oil is used?
Only 1 teaspoon of olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables, keeping the dish low in fat.
What size casserole dish is recommended?
A 2-quart casserole dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray is required.
What is the first step in layering the bake?
Start by placing about half of the cooled, sauce-coated pasta on the bottom and pressing it down with a spoon.
How is the mozzarella cheese distributed?
One cup of reduced-fat mozzarella is split: half is sprinkled over the vegetable layer, and the other half is sprinkled on the very top.
How long does the dish need to bake?
The casserole should bake for a total of 30 minutes.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 25 minutes and remove it for the final 5 minutes.
Why should the foil be removed for the last 5 minutes?
Removing the foil allows the cheese on top to brown slightly for a better presentation.
What is the benefit of letting the casserole cool before serving?
Letting it cool for a few minutes allows the layers to set, which makes slicing the bake much easier.
Can I substitute the rotini for another pasta?
While rotini is specified, similar shapes like penne or fusilli would likely work well in this layered format.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include vegetarian, pasta, bake, one dish meal, low fat, healthy dinner, zucchini, and rich flavors.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 3 minced garlic cloves.
What is the suggested side dish?
The recipe recommends serving the bake with a crisp salad for a wholesome meal.
Is the cottage cheese fat-free?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of fat-free cottage cheese.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the vegetable mixture.
Can I use fresh basil instead of dried?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried basil, but fresh could be used as a substitute if adjusted for potency.
Is parmesan cheese included in the bake?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese are mixed into the ricotta and cottage cheese layer.
What is the preparation for the zucchini?
The zucchini should be chopped into small pieces before sautéing.
Is this a good recipe for a family dinner?
Yes, it is described as a perfect vegetarian meal for family dinners or gatherings due to its comforting nature and appealing presentation.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 distinct ingredients listed for this pasta bake.