Cheesy Vegetable Pasta

Indulge in the creamy goodness of Cheesy Vegetable Pasta, a vibrant and hearty dish that combines the best of fresh produce and rich, melty cheese. This easy-to-make recipe features al dente penne pasta tossed with a medley of sautéed vegetables, including sweet red bell peppers, tender zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and nutrient-packed spinach. The vegetables are enveloped in a luscious, cheesy sauce made from Parmesan and mozzarella, creating the ultimate comfort food experience. Highlighted with fragrant minced garlic and fresh torn basil, this pasta dish is bursting with flavor in every bite. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s the perfect quick weeknight dinner for the whole family. Serve it as a main course or pair it with a crisp side salad for a complete, satisfying meal. Perfectly optimized for fans of creamy pasta recipes and those searching for a delightful vegetarian pasta dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Add the sliced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 4

Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until they start releasing their juices.

Step 5

Add the spinach leaves to the skillet and stir just until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Remove from heat and sprinkle torn basil leaves over the dish.

Step 9

Serve immediately, enjoying the combination of al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1215.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2354.4

Total Fat 87.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 178.6mg	0%
Sodium 3620.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 288.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.6g	0%
Total Sugars 16.5g
Protein 114.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2009.9mg	0%
Iron 19.2mg	0%
Potassium 2660.4mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.8%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 48.1%