Painter's Pasta

Transform your dinner table into a vibrant masterpiece with Painter's Pasta, a delightful medley of roasted vegetables, al dente pasta, and creamy basil pesto. This visually stunning dish gets its name from the colorful array of ingredients—sweet cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, tender zucchini, and smoky eggplant—that are oven-roasted to golden perfection for enhanced flavor. Tossed with fresh mozzarella that melts into creamy bites, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a garnish of fresh basil, this pasta promises a harmonious blend of textures and aromas. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe is as quick and easy as it is wholesome and satisfying. Serve it up warm and watch your guests savor every flavorful brushstroke!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne or fusilli pasta
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1 small Eggplant, diced
• 4 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Fresh basil pesto
• 8 oz Fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces
• 0.25 cup Parmesan, grated
• 6 leaves Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Spread the cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, zucchini, and eggplant on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 3

Roast the vegetables in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 4

While the vegetables are roasting, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 5

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the roasted vegetables and toss to combine.

Step 6

Add the basil pesto to the skillet, stirring it into the pasta and vegetables until evenly coated. If the mixture seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 7

Add the fresh mozzarella pieces and gently toss them into the hot pasta, allowing them to soften and melt slightly.

Step 8

Serve the Painter's Pasta immediately on plates or in shallow bowls. Sprinkle each serving with grated Parmesan and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color.

Step 9

Enjoy your beautiful and delicious Painter's Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1131.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1909.3

Total Fat 124.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 57.2mg	0%
Sodium 3989.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 140.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.2g
Protein 56.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 950.0mg	0%
Iron 8.2mg	0%
Potassium 1857.7mg	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: 58.7%

Protein: 11.8%

Carbs: 29.5%