One-Pot Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A comforting baked pasta dish with tender vegetables and a rich cheese sauce, perfect for a family meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 large, diced carrot
• 1 medium, diced zucchini
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 1 diced medium zucchini, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add 2 cups tomato sauce, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; bring to a simmer.
3. Step 3: Add 12 oz penne pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 12 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid and sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the pasta. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden on top.
5. Step 5: Let bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce and enhance flavors.