Cheesy Zucchini And Pasta Bake Recipes

CHEESY ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place bread cubes in a medium bowl and pour melted butter over the bread. Add the zucchini, onion, garlic salt and egg; mix well. Transfer the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and top with the cheese.
• Bake, covered, in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then uncover the dish and bake for another 30 minutes.

CHEESY BAKED PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Crumble sausage into skillet, using a spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until starting to brown, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, fennel seeds and red-pepper flakes (if using), and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in whole tomatoes and their juice, using a spoon to break them up. Add crushed tomatoes, bay leaves and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Stir in pasta and 1 cup water and return to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat, pluck out the bay leaves, and fold in about a third of the mozzarella.
• Top pasta with remaining mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle with Parmesan, then transfer to oven. Bake until pasta is tender when poked with a fork, and cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, 18 to 22 minutes. (If you'd like a more deeply browned topping, run the pan under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes.) Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Top with basil, plenty of black pepper, and more red-pepper flakes, if you like.

CHEESY CAULIFLOWER-ZUCCHINI BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Combine vegetables in 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 25 min. or until cauliflower is crisp-tender.
• Remove casserole from oven. Top vegetables with pasta sauce and cheese.
• Bake 10 min. or until pasta sauce is heated through, and cheese is melted and golden brown.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI AND SPINACH PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir onions in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 3 to 4 min. or until crisp-tender. Add zucchini and mushrooms; cook 3 to 4 min. or until zucchini is crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Add half the spinach; cook 2 to 3 min. or just until wilted. Repeat with remaining spinach. Remove from heat.
• Drain pasta. Add to vegetable mixture in skillet along with the pasta sauce, ricotta, Italian seasoning and 1 cup mozzarella; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining mozzarella.
• Bake 20 to 25 min. or until casserole is heated through and mozzarella is melted.