ASPARAGUS PASTA BAKE

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This asparagus pasta bake is a slightly fancier version of the baked ziti classic.

Provided by PaulD

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound ziti pasta
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 (28 ounce) jar tomato sauce, divided
2 cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ pound asparagus, trimmed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, diced

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook ziti at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parsley to drained pasta. Mix and set aside.
  • Chop trimmed asparagus into 1/4-inch slices, separating stems and tips.
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in asparagus stems; cook for another 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Add asparagus tips and cook, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Spread 1 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta mixture and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle 1/2 of the vegetables on top. Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta in an even layer, followed by remaining vegetables. Cover with remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Move to the top rack and continue to bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes more. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 456.4 calories, Carbohydrate 55.2 g, Cholesterol 32.6 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 23.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 801.2 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

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