Delicious Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake: A Summer Vegetable Delight with Rao’s Homemade Sauce

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Rao’s Homemade. The opinions and text are all mine.

You will LOVE this Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake with Roasted Summer Vegetables! It’s a light pasta casserole filled with roasted summer vegetables and layers of a delicious ricotta cheese mixture, then topped with melty mozzarella. Perfect for a lighter summer pasta dinner!

Why a Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake is a Weeknight Winner

What could be better than a classic pasta bake? How about an incredible penne pasta bake bursting with cheesy goodness and the fresh flavors of roasted summer vegetables? This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary triumph that will have everyone at your table asking for seconds. Pasta casseroles are a staple in many households, and for good reason. They are inherently comforting, wonderfully versatile, and incredibly efficient when feeding a hungry crowd.

As a mom of four boys, two of whom are ravenous teenagers, I constantly seek out meals that are hearty enough for a family of six, quick and easy to prepare, and budget-friendly. Pasta casseroles check all these boxes beautifully. They allow for substantial portions, often involve minimal hands-on cooking time once prepped, and can stretch ingredients efficiently. This particular Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake takes the beloved casserole concept to a new level by incorporating fresh, seasonal produce and premium ingredients, transforming it into a light yet satisfying summer dinner.

Elevating Your Pasta: Making It Healthier and More Flavorful

Pasta sometimes gets an unfair reputation for being “fattening” or merely “empty carbs.” However, with a few thoughtful additions and ingredient choices, pasta can be a nutritious and balanced component of a healthy meal. The key lies in enhancing its nutritional profile without sacrificing flavor or enjoyment. Here are my favorite strategies for making your pasta dishes, especially this cheesy pasta bake, a healthier option for your family:

1. Load Up on Vegetables! This is perhaps the most impactful way to boost the health factor of any pasta dish. For this cheesy penne pasta bake, I’ve opted for seasonal roasted summer vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, onion, garlic, and corn. These not only add a wonderful array of vitamins, minerals, and fiber but also contribute beautiful colors and textures. You can customize this by adding any other veggies you like or have on hand, such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms. Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness and gives them a delightful tenderness that holds up well in a casserole.
2. Choose Smarter Pasta Options: The pasta aisle has evolved significantly, offering many healthier alternatives to traditional refined white pasta. Whole grain pastas are an excellent choice, providing more fiber which aids digestion and helps you feel full longer. Beyond whole wheat, you can now find fantastic vegetable pastas made from ingredients like lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), or even quinoa. These gluten-free and plant-based options often pack extra protein and nutrients, making your pasta dish even more wholesome. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these varieties to find your family’s favorites!
3. Select a Premium Pasta Sauce: A great pasta sauce can make or break a dish, both in terms of flavor and health. Navigating the overwhelming rows of pasta sauce brands can be daunting. Many contain excessive amounts of added sugar, artificial flavors, and processed ingredients. This is why I exclusively use and highly recommend Rao’s Homemade pasta sauce. Its superior quality makes a noticeable difference in the overall taste and nutritional value of your meal.

Unveiling the Secret: What Makes Rao’s Homemade the Healthiest Pasta Sauce?

Before I became a discerning label-reader, I was shocked to discover how much sugar and how many processed ingredients were hidden in many popular pasta sauces. It’s counter-intuitive to associate sugar with a savory tomato sauce, yet it’s a common additive. This realization reinforced my commitment to finding the best. That’s precisely why Rao’s Homemade stands out as my go-to choice and the healthiest pasta sauce on the market.

Rao’s Homemade offers a famous range of sauces that contain no tomato blends, paste, water, starches, colors, or, crucially, added sugar. Their commitment to authenticity and quality is evident in every jar. Instead, they use ripe Italian tomatoes, which are steam-peeled to preserve their natural flavor, then mixed with pure olive oil and fresh vegetables. These premium ingredients are slow-simmered in small batches, a traditional method that brings out the rich, complex flavors without the need for artificial enhancements.

Using Rao’s sauce means you’re serving a premium product made with only the finest, most wholesome ingredients. This allows you to feel truly good about gathering your family and friends around the table, knowing you’re offering them a delicious and nutritious meal. It’s the kind of sauce that elevates simple ingredients to extraordinary culinary experiences, making dishes like this Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake truly shine.

Crafting Your Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake with Roasted Summer Vegetables

Let’s dive into the delicious details of preparing this amazing penne pasta bake. The process is straightforward, yielding a dish that’s both impressive and comforting.

Preparing the Flavorful Roasted Summer Vegetables

The first crucial step is preparing your vibrant roasted summer vegetables. I start by dicing fresh zucchini, yellow squash, and a sweet onion. For an extra pop of flavor and convenience, I often incorporate corn kernels, sometimes even using leftover grilled corn on the cob for that smoky char. Thinly sliced garlic cloves are a must, adding a fragrant depth to the mix. These vegetables are then seasoned simply with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, before being tossed with a generous amount of avocado oil (or another high-heat oil). Roasting them in the oven until they are tender-crisp not only intensifies their flavors but also ensures they retain a pleasing bite in the final casserole. I prefer them slightly al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven later.

Cooking the Perfect Penne Pasta

While the vegetables are roasting, it’s time to cook your pasta. I opt for penne pasta in this vegetarian pasta bake, as its tubular shape is perfect for holding the rich sauce and creamy ricotta mixture. Always cook your pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until it reaches that ideal al dente stage—tender yet firm to the bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the pasta water if you wish (though it’s not strictly necessary for this baked dish, it’s a good general habit for pasta sauces).

Combining the Stars of the Dish

Once both the pasta and the roasted summer vegetables are ready, combine them in a large bowl. To minimize dishes, I often use the same pot I cooked the pasta in. Now for the star ingredient: pour in an entire jar of Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce. Its rich, authentic flavor will beautifully coat every piece of pasta and vegetable. Stir everything gently to ensure an even distribution of the sauce and vegetables.

Assembling Your Cheesy Pasta Casserole: Layers of Delight

The layering is where this pasta bake truly comes together, creating pockets of creamy, cheesy goodness throughout the dish.

First, prepare the decadent ricotta mixture. In a separate bowl, combine creamy ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese for a sharp, salty kick, a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of white wine vinegar to brighten the flavors, and a medley of fresh herbs and spices. I absolutely adore ricotta in baked pasta dishes; it imparts an incredible richness and a luscious texture that truly gives this penne pasta bake that “extra oomph” and makes it undeniably special.

Now, it’s time to assemble. Lightly grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour half of the pasta, roasted vegetables, and Rao’s Homemade sauce mixture into the bottom of the dish, spreading it into an even layer. Next, carefully spoon and spread half of the prepared ricotta mixture over the pasta. This creates a creamy stratum that will melt into the pasta during baking. Finally, pour the remaining pasta mixture on top, ensuring everything is well distributed.

To finish, spread the rest of the ricotta mixture evenly over the top layer of pasta. The grand finale is a generous sprinkling of shredded mozzarella cheese. For best results and to prevent the cheese from sticking, I lightly cover the dish with a piece of tin foil coated in cooking spray before baking. This helps the cheese melt beautifully without browning too quickly.

Bake the casserole in a preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until it’s heated through and the mozzarella is gloriously melted and bubbly. Serve this delightful creation to your guests or family immediately for a truly memorable meal. This recipe is also a fantastic way to utilize any leftover summer vegetables lingering in your crisper drawer, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Plus, you’ll feel fantastic knowing you’re sneaking nourishing veggies into your family’s diet, all while serving them a truly premium dish enhanced by Rao’s finest sauce.

Understanding the Nutrition: How Many Calories are in This Pasta Bake?

The nutritional content of any pasta bake or casserole can vary significantly based on the specific ingredients, types of pasta, and cheeses used. However, I’ve carefully crafted this Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake with Roasted Vegetables to be a deliciously balanced option. This particular recipe yields approximately 8 generous servings, with each serving coming out to roughly 332 calories. This makes it a hearty yet mindful meal.

Beyond the calorie count, this dish offers impressive nutritional benefits. Each serving provides a substantial 15 grams of protein, essential for muscle health and satiety, along with 4.5 grams of fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. What’s truly remarkable for a cheesy pasta bake is its relatively low sugar content, at only 8 grams per serving. This is largely thanks to the quality of Rao’s Homemade sauce, which contains no added sugars, allowing the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and vegetables to shine. I genuinely hope you’ll give this recipe a try very soon. My family absolutely loved it, and I am confident yours will too!

If you loved this delicious pasta bake, then be sure to check out some of my other similar pasta recipes for more inspiration:

• Skinny Cheesy Pasta Bake
• Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
• Creamy One-Pan Chicken Asparagus Pasta

Here’s the full recipe for my delicious vegetarian pasta bake:

 

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