Lighter Mediterranean Pasta Bake Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
• While the water boils and pasta cooks, prep your vegetables and remaining ingredients: mince the garlic; halve the cherry tomatoes; drain and roughly chop the artichokes; drain and slice the olives in half. Once the vegetables start cooking, the recipe goes quickly, so you want to be ready.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the tomatoes, garlic, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes begin to break down and release some juices into the oil, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add the artichokes and olives. Drizzle the lemon juice over the pasta. Continue tossing and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until warmed through. If the pasta seems too dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as desired. Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley. Toss once more and enjoy.

LIGHTER MEDITERRANEAN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Add to large bowl.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Toss chicken with Italian seasoning and salt; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Transfer to bowl with pasta.
• In same skillet, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat; add onions and zucchini. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in artichokes, pasta sauce and whipping cream; heat 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through.
• Carefully add sauce to bowl of pasta and chicken; stir until well combined. Spoon mixture into baking dish; top with tomatoes, olives and Parmesan cheese. Cover baking dish with foil; bake 25 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook pasta according to packet instructions.
• Drain and set aside.
• In a frying pan heat the 2 tablespoons oil and stir in the onion and garlic.
• Cook for 3 minutes and stir in the remaining vegetables, chilli and seasoning.
• Cook for 3- 5 minutes until just softening.
• Add the tomato sauce (pour 1 cup water into the empty jar and then add to the pan- this will help remove any remaining sauce) and the basil and stir through the pasta along with ½ a cup of the mozzarella cheese and lemon zest, if using.
• Place in a large baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is golden.
• In a small bowl combine the parsley, olives and capers and scatter over the lasagne.
• Serve hot.

EASY 4-INGREDIENT PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cavatappi and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned but not yet crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and then cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
• Mix pasta, bacon, crushed tomatoes, and processed cheese together in a large bowl. Transfer to a baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
• Season chicken with salt. Stir chicken with bacon in a large skillet or saucepan. Add tomatoes and rosemary, and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in feta cheese, olives and artichoke hearts and cook until heated through. Toss with fresh cooked pasta and serve warm. Garnished with extra feta if desired.

LIGHTER TOMATO "ALFREDO" PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat. Add onions and 1 teaspoon of the garlic; cook 5 to 6 minutes or until just tender. Transfer to blender. Return saucepan to medium heat; add water and frozen cauliflower. Increase heat to medium-high; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Drain and transfer cauliflower to blender; cool 10 minutes. Add whipping cream; cover and blend 60 to 90 seconds or until nearly smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt; blend 60 to 90 seconds or until smooth.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Add to baking dish.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut sausage casing, and discard. Crumble sausage into skillet with mushrooms. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up sausage, until sausage is no longer pink. Stir in bell pepper and remaining 2 teaspoons garlic; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until garlic is fragrant. Stir in tomatoes; heat 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through.
• Add sausage mixture to baking dish; stir to completely combine. Top with mozzarella cheese; carefully pour cauliflower sauce over top. Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly on edges.
• Let stand 10 minutes. Top with basil.