VEGETARIAN MEXICAN PASTA BAKE

Vegetarian Mexican Pasta Bake image

Provided by cyaos

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

12 ounces bow tie pasta, uncooked (about 5 cups)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped and packed
1 teaspoon cumin
3 cups milk
6 ounces colby cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 cup salsa, chunky is best
2/3 cup olive, pitted
chili powder

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter six 12-1 6 ounce individual casserole dishes (or one 3 quart baking dish); set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.
In a large saucepan, cook onion and sweet pepper in butter over medium heat about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, cilantro and cumin. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until the mixture and thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low. Stir in Colby cheese and 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese; stir until melted.
Pour mixture over drained pasta; stir to combine.
Layer half the pasta mixture, all of the salsa and the remaining pasta mixture in the prepared casserole(s). Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of Monterey Jack cheese and olives. Sprinkle lightly with chili powder on top.
Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and heated through (if useing a large casserole, bake in 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes). Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 612.3, Fat 30.4, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 127.2, Sodium 812.5, Carbohydrate 58.4, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 3.8, Protein 27.6