Mini Vegetable Pasta Bake with Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Individual pasta bakes loaded with colorful vegetables and melted mozzarella, perfect for introducing kids to wholesome meals. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 oz penne pasta for 9-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1 small diced red bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach leaves and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, sautéed vegetables, and 1 cup tomato sauce. Mix well, then divide evenly into four small oven-safe ramekins.
  5. Step 5: Top each ramekin with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with lightly golden edges.

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