Make-Ahead: 3 Cheese Baked Penne With Roasted Vegetables
Description
This make-ahead baked penne is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender pasta with a rich trio of mozzarella, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses. The dish is elevated by a medley of roasted red and yellow peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant, which provide a sweet, smoky contrast to the savory cheese sauce. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, as it can be assembled in advance and refrigerated before baking. The result is a bubbly, golden-topped casserole that brings home-style Italian flavor to your table. Serve it with a crisp romaine salad for a balanced and satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C).
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In a large shallow pan or bowl, toss together the chopped red and yellow peppers, quartered mushrooms, diced zucchini, diced eggplant, minced garlic, and olive oil until evenly coated.
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Spread the vegetable mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
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Roast in the preheated oven, stirring once or twice, for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and slightly charred.
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Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente (slightly undercooked if making ahead).
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Drain the pasta well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process; let it cool completely.
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Transfer the roasted vegetables to a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Stir 1/3 cup of the fresh parsley, basil, and rosemary into the vegetables.
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Add the cooled pasta, spaghetti sauce, shredded mozzarella, diced Fontina, and half of the grated Parmesan to the baking dish. Toss gently to combine everything evenly.
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Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and parsley over the top.
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Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
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Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
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Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4 servings
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 230.3kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16.3g26%
- Saturated Fat 2.3g12%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 13.6mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 22.6g8%
- Dietary Fiber 8.7g35%
- Sugars 4.8g
- Protein 6.4g13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.