Cheesy Vegetable Pasta
Dive into a plate of creamy, flavor-packed goodness with this Cheesy Vegetable Pasta recipe! Perfectly al dente penne pasta is tossed with a vibrant medley of sautéed vegetables, including sweet red bell pepper, tender zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach, all brought together by garlic-infused olive oil for a savory base. The magic happens when grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella melt into the dish, creating a luscious, cheesy sauce that clings to every bite. Finished with fragrant torn basil leaves, this quick and easy dinner is ideal for busy weeknights, offering a healthy twist on classic comfort food. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is a surefire way to impress your family with a nutritious yet indulgent meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 350 grams Penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium Zucchini, sliced
- 200 grams Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100 grams Spinach leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 100 grams Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 10 grams Basil leaves, fresh and torn
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions for al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the sliced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until they start releasing their juices.
Add the spinach leaves to the skillet and stir just until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Season the vegetables with salt and pepper, then add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta is coated with the vegetable mixture.
Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella, adding a small amount of reserved pasta water if needed, to create a creamy sauce until the cheese is melted and smoothly coats the pasta.
Remove from heat and sprinkle torn basil leaves over the dish.
Serve immediately, enjoying the combination of al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2354 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 87.5 g | 112% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.1 g | 186% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 179 mg | 60% | |
| Sodium | 3620 mg | 157% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 288.4 g | 105% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.6 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.5 g | ||
| Protein | 114.6 g | 229% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2010 mg | 155% | |
| Iron | 19.2 mg | 107% | |
| Potassium | 2660 mg | 57% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
