Looking for an easy, healthy, and crowd-pleasing main meal? This pasta bake is packed with vegetables (it's vegetarian) and can keep in the fridge all week.
Whole-wheat pasta is a delicious and healthy main option; with the addition of lots of vegetables, it is made even healthier! This casserole is easy and can certainly feed a crowd! If you want to substitute ricotta cheese for cottage-cheese, you can do so (but it will be less healthy...). Additionally, if you have any other easily cooked vegetables (such as celery, zucchini, eggplant or mushrooms) that you wish to add, you certainly can! Just saute them briefly in some olive oil while the pasta is cooking, and then add them to the mixture before popping in the oven.
Easy Healthy Baked Pasta Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 container of non- (or low-) fat cottage-cheese
- 1 jar of pasta sauce (buy a kind that is low in sodium and sugar - I like Classico)
- 1 package (375 gram) of whole-wheat penne or rotini (I like Catelli Healthy Harvest).
- 1 bag shredded cheese (either double cheddar or mozza-cheddar)
- 1 package frozen spinach
- 1 cup frozen broccoli
Method:
- Start by preheating the oven to 400 F.
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package; or, in a pot of boiling, salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside when complete.
- While the oven is heating and the pasta cooking, partially defrost the package of spinach by placing it in a covered glass container filled with water, and then microwaving for 10 minutes.
- Unwrap the spinach, and then chop into small cubes. Put aside.
- In two medium (or one large) casserole dishes, pour the pasta sauce, cooked pasta, and cubed spinach. Toss with forks to ensure even coating.
- Pour frozen broccoli onto a baking sheet and place into the warmed oven to defrost and cook, for about 10 minutes.
- While broccoli is cooking, pour the cottage cheese into the pasta mixture, and again toss to coat.
- When broccoli is cooked, pour into the pasta mixture and combine.
- Arrange the shredded cheese on top of the mixture and place the dishes in the oven.
- Cook for about 30 - 40 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbling, and the mixture is warm the whole way through. Make sure to check it - depending on the heat of your oven, you may need to adjust the heat.
- Enjoy! This recipe can feed a crowd, or easily serve as one person's main meal throughout the week. It also freezes well.
More:
- Find out about the healthy benefits of whole-wheat pasta here
- This would be a great meal for after a day of strenuous physical activity, as it is packed with protein, fibre, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates!
- Find more easy ways to eat vegetables here!
Copyright Caroline Garrod. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Caroline Garrod - Caroline is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Queen's University in Kingston, ON. An avid reader and ...
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