Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake
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 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
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- 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.
- Step 3: While pasta cooks, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Step 4: Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling and lightly golden.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 8: Combine drained penne, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce in a large bowl and mix well.
- Step 9: Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Step 10: Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cheesy Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake?
Italian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
