Veggie Pasta Bake

Name: Veggie Pasta Bake
Total time: 2700 s
Yield: 5-6 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 750 g Penna Pasta; Olive oil (max 3 tablespoons only), plus extra for drizzling; Salt; 2 cans plum tomatoes (400g each); 1 jar pasta bolognese sauce (500g); 1/4 cup water; 1 tsp Italian herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme); 3 Garlic cloves, finely chopped; 3 green chillies halved, lengthwise (medium spice level); 1-1.5 tbsp sugar; Fresh basil (leave some for garnish); Vegetarian sausages (I used Cauldron brand); 1 courgette/zuchinni, chopped round then into half moons; 1 Aubergine (medium-large), cut vertically- see pics below; 1 pack button mushrooms, washed and medium chopped; 120 g pack Spinach, washed; 1 large red onion; 1 tsp balsamic vinegar; Fresh basil; Cheddar and mozarella, shredded/grated; Olive oil for drizzling

Heavenly Yummy @cook_24010435

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

This veggie pasta bake uses barely any oil. Cooked in a rich tomato sauce, grilled/dry-fried veggies & baked sausages. Ready in 45 mins (inclusive of baking time). Pantry friendly recipe which can be adapted by using any veggies you have available #pasta #vegetarian #veg

Heavenly Yummy @cook_24010435

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Saved

Ingredients

45 mins

5-6 servings

750 gPenna Pasta
Olive oil (max 3 tablespoons only), plus extra for drizzling
Salt
Sauce
2 cansplum tomatoes (400g each)
1 jarpasta bolognese sauce (500g)
1/4 cupwater
1 tspItalian herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme)
3Garlic cloves, finely chopped
3green chillies halved, lengthwise (medium spice level)
1-1.5 tbspsugar
Fresh basil (leave some for garnish)
VEGGIES + SAUSAGES (dry-fried/grilled & baked)
Vegetarian sausages (I used Cauldron brand)
1courgette/zuchinni, chopped round then into half moons
1Aubergine (medium-large), cut vertically- see pics below
1 packbutton mushrooms, washed and medium chopped
120 gpack Spinach, washed
1large red onion
1 tspbalsamic vinegar
Toppings
Fresh basil
Cheddar and mozarella, shredded/grated
Olive oil for drizzling

Saved

Steps

45 mins

1

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius- for sausages and courgette later
2

For the sauce. In a pan on medium heat, add 1 tbsp oil. Then add chopped garlic, 3 green chillies, halved. Cook until garlic is browned
3

Turn up heat slightly. Add in 2 cans of plum tomatoes, 1 jar bolognese sauce, pinch of salt, italian herbs and fresh basil. Add 1/4 cup water. Mix all until sauce comes to a boil. Then lower heat, cover and let simmer over low-medium heat for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
4

Cook pasta as per pack instructions with 1 tbsp oil and salt. Drain when ready.
5

While pasta sauce is simmering for the next 25 mins, put sausages in pre-heated oven. Bake as per pack instructions (mine were 20 mins). Cut courgettes into half moons. Bake for 10 mins. (I put mine in the same baking pan as the sausages and just removed them earlier, allowing sausages to finish baking). Once baked, cut sausages. Set courgettes and sausages aside.
6

Cut your aubergine lengthwise. In a separate pan, on medium heat (NO OIL), place aubergine and allow to dry-fry for 7-10 mins on each side, turning occasionally, until they become slightly charred- see pic. Remove and set aside.
7

Slice red onion thinly. In same pan, on medium heat, add half tbsp oil and sliced red onions. When they start to wilt, add 1tsp balsamic vinegar (see pic). This will give them a sweet taste! Allow to caramelise slightly. Remove and set aside.
8

In same pan, cook your mushrooms until no longer watery. Set aside.
9

Pasta tomato sauce should be ready and reduced by now. Add 1tbsp sugar to balance the taste. Mix. Add drained pasta to sauce together with the courgettes, mushrooms, sausages. Mix all. Add spinach, cover for 2 mins to allow it to wilt. Uncover. Stir all for 1 min. Remove from heat.
10

Assemble! Grease your baking dish with a spray of olive oil. Pour the mixed pasta. Top with the caramelised red onions and charred aubergine. Finish with grated cheddar and mozarella all over. Add basil for garnish. See pic.
11

Drizzle the top lightly with olive oil. Bake at 200 degrees celsius for 15 mins, until golden. Enjoy and bon appetit!