Description
A comforting vegetarian cheesy pasta bake featuring a creamy pumpkin-tomato sauce, blended with aromatic herbs and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. This dish combines the rich flavors of pumpkin and tomato for a hearty, delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces of pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
Sauce
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheeses and Garnish
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in canned pumpkin puree and crushed tomatoes until fully combined.
- Season and Simmer: Add dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: In a large baking dish, combine cooked pasta and the pumpkin-tomato sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top, followed by grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute penne or rigatoni with other pasta shapes like fusilli or rigatoni if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese before baking.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.
