Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

A kid-friendly baked pasta combining tender penne, creamy cheese sauce, and hidden vegetables for a comforting and nutritious meal. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup finely diced carrot
• 1 cup finely chopped spinach
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz penne pasta, and cook for 8 minutes until just al dente; drain and set aside.
3. Step 3: While pasta cooks, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Step 4: Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling and lightly golden.
5. Step 5: Gradually whisk in 2 1/2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until cheese melts.
7. Step 7: In a small skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, add 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 cup finely diced carrot, and 1 cup finely chopped spinach; sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
8. Step 8: Combine drained penne, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce in a large bowl and mix well.
9. Step 9: Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
10. Step 10: Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.