Colorful Pasta Bake with Yes Rice Krispies
Dive into a vibrant twist on comfort food with this Colorful Pasta Bake with Yes Rice Krispies! This recipe combines tender penne pasta, sautéed bell peppers, fresh spinach, and juicy cherry tomatoes, all enveloped in a luxuriously creamy homemade cheese sauce. What sets it apart is the unexpected addition of crunchy Rice Krispies cereal as a playful topping, lightly toasted to golden perfection in the oven. Bursting with flavors, textures, and a medley of bright colors, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Ready in under an hour, this satisfying pasta bake is a delightful blend of creamy, cheesy, and crispy goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Penne pasta
- 200 grams Cherry tomatoes
- 2 medium Bell peppers (assorted colors, diced)
- 100 grams Spinach leaves (fresh)
- 200 grams Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 250 ml Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 300 ml Milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 100 grams Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a large baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the diced bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes until tender. Stir in the spinach leaves and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps remain. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and 150 grams of shredded mozzarella until melted and smooth.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and cheese sauce. Mix well and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining 50 grams of mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta.
In a small bowl, mix the Rice Krispies cereal with a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the mozzarella layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm as a main dish and enjoy the crunchy, creamy goodness of the colorful pasta bake.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
565 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.3 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.9 g | 89% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 88 mg | 29% | |
| Sodium | 808 mg | 35% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46.0 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g | ||
| Protein | 18.5 g | 37% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 356 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 5.7 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 413 mg | 9% | |
*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.
