Pasta casserole with green garnish


Votes: 2

How to Make - Pasta Casserole with Greens
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Time: 45 min.
Complexity: easily
Servings: 6

This vegetarian casserole is packed with flavor and incredibly filling, yet quick and easy to prepare—perfect for feeding a crowd. Boiled ziti pasta is tossed with a quick tomato sauce, topped with béchamel sauce, then topped with three types of grated cheese—Asiago, Parmesan, and mozzarella—and then grilled in the oven until the cheese melts. The tubular shape of the ziti pasta allows it to absorb a lot of the delicious sauce, making this casserole truly unique! Serve with a light salad of fresh spinach and canned artichokes in a tart dressing.



The recipes use measuring containers with the following volumes:
1 glass (st.) - 250 ml.
3/4 cup (st.) - 180 ml.
2/3 cup (st.) - 160 ml.
1/2 cup (st.) - 125 ml.
1/3 cup (st.) - 80 ml.
1/4 cup (st.) - 60 ml.
1 tablespoon (tbsp) - 15 ml.
1 teaspoon (tsp) - 5 ml.
1/5 teaspoon (tsp) - 1 ml.

Ingredients for the recipe:


Pasta casserole

  • 450 g of grooved ziti pasta
  • 3 tbsp olive oil, +3 turns of the pan
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 can (800 g) of canned whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 can (400 g) of canned crushed tomatoes
  • Coarse salt
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tbsp. premium flour
  • A generous pinch of grated nutmeg
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 0.5 cup grated Asiago cheese
  • 0.5 tbsp. grated parmesan
  • 1 cup thin slices of fresh mozzarella
  • Crustless bread, for serving

Spinach and Artichoke Salad

  • 350 g, 4 - 5 cups, tightly packed small spinach
  • 2 x 425g cans of canned artichoke hearts in water, drain and chop artichokes
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • A handful of grated Parmesan



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Cooking the dish according to the recipe:


  1. Boil water for the pasta.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté the garlic in olive oil. Chop the whole tomatoes and add them to the pan. Add the pureed tomatoes, season with salt, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the basil and simmer for another 10 minutes.

  3. Add salt to boiling water and add the pasta. Cook for 6 minutes, leaving the pasta slightly undercooked.
  4. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, adding salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Add the milk and bring the sauce to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large ovenproof dish. Pour the tomato sauce over the pasta and toss to coat.
  6. Pour the béchamel sauce over the tomato-coated pasta. Sprinkle the pasta with Asiago cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Place the casserole under the broiler and broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown, 3-5 minutes.
  7. Serve immediately with spinach and artichoke salad and bread.

    Spinach and Artichoke SaladCombine the spinach and artichokes in a bowl. Place the garlic, lemon zest, and juice in a small bowl and add the vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in the extra-virgin olive oil. Drizzle the oil and vinegar dressing over the salad and toss. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.





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