Hey folks. Hope everyone had a fab Monday. I am late getting this up so officially it's Tuesday but just barely so hopefully you'll forgive me. I mean I've never been on time before so why start now I suppose.
I have been wanting to participate in Meatless Mondays for awhile now. I just have trouble being organized and getting started. I love the idea of going meat free one or two days a week. We do eat meat but I like the idea of cutting back on it. So this is my first go at Meatless Mondays. And guess what? I was not organized. I know right. Total shocker. Been so crazed that by the time I got home tonight it became a night of let's slap together whatever I can come up with containing the little bit of groceries in my very empty fridge. I always aim to be organized yet the last few months I have failed miserably. Luckily slapping together whatever I can come up with seems to work for me. Dinner was yummy so it was a good night. I've done this dish with meat but never without. Very good without I must say. Now I did add cheese. But I mean who wouldn't.
So look forward to this being a regular feature here at the Lunatic's hangout. I shall be meat free every Monday. Next week I have a huge surprise for you folks. You'll love it. Can't wait I'm so excited.
Okay so enough of the blah, blah, blah. Here's what you came for.
Meatless Pasta Bake:
Ingredients:
1 can tomato paste (369 ml/ 13 fl oz)
1 can whole peeled tomatoes (796 ml/ 28 fl oz)
1 can Pasta Sauce, I used Hunt's Roasted Garlic and Herb (680 ml)
1 box or bag rigatoni noodles (454 G)
4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ white onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
4 shallots, diced
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 dash of salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a full boil.
In a medium saucepan add your tomato paste, whole peeled tomatoes, pasta sauce, and spices. Cook and stir on low heat while you cook everything else.
In a non stick pan saute your onions and shallots in a touch of oil. Do this over medium to low heat until they start to brown. Takes a good ten-ish minutes. Once it's almost done add your garlic. Cook for another 2-ish minutes or so.
Now add this to your sauce.
Once water boils add your noodles. Cook for about 8-ish minutes or until they are al dente.
Remove and drain noodles but don't rinse.
Line a casserole dish with parchment. Makes clean up easier.
Pour your noodles into the casserole dish.
Now pour your sauce over top and stir it up.
Now toss your shredded mozzarella over top.
Place in the oven and cook for about 10-ish  minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Remove from oven.
Serve with a smile.
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| My Piece! |
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| Mini-me's dish, she doesn't like tons of cheese! |
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| The rest of us sure do! More for us! |
Hope you enjoyed this one. Stop by next Monday for another meatless meal. Have a lovely week my friends. So happy to back, missed you folks.
Toodles and smoochies. xx
Trish
I stumbled over here looking for an idea for a meatless dish that would appeal to meat-eaters. We are veg, but our extended family is not. So.... it's hard to make them all happy when we hosts a gathering. I think this will do just fine.
Betsy Cohen
This makes Meatless Monday look incredibly tempting...for something other than dessert!!! 🙂
Laurie S
Thank you for this recipe. I found it through Pinterest when my daughter asked if we could try "Meatless Monday"s. This is a keeper - the whole family loved it!
Katie
Can anyone tell me how many servings this makes? I have a hubby and five boys (ages 20, 18, 14, 14 and 9), and possibly one more coming to dinner tomorrow. Should I double this? Thanks -- looks super yummy!!
Kim Beaulieu
Hey Katie. I made this so long ago, but it's a 13 x 9 pan if I recall correctly so it should serve 6 to 8. However I know how much boys that age can eat so I would actually double it. Worst case scenario you have extra, but this freezes beautifully. I make various variations it all the time. There's 4 of us and this serves us for dinner with enough leftovers typically for 2 people. I hope that helps, and I sure you all enjoy it.
If the guys like meat there's a recipe we all love called Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Italian Sausage on the blog too. There's also a meat free version called Roasted Red Pepper Pasta. Both are exceptional. There's also a Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna that is meatless if you guys are vegetarian. I'm a pasta girl so it's something I make constantly. Also if you are meat eaters, check out the bolognese sauce. It's a bit more work than most of my recipes but most of it is simmering and the results are amazing.
Let me know how it turns out. If you happen to hit the store any time soon there's a taste of home magazine out right now called 9 x 13, it's all really cool recipes you can make in that size pan. Which is likely perfect for your crew. I'm kicking myself for not picking it up tonight when I saw it.
Katie
Thank you! I ended up doubling this so I had a meatless version for my two boys and me, and a second one with Italian sausage added to it for my hubby and his boys. It was a hit! I think the next time I make this, I'll use crushed tomatoes instead of the whole tomatoes, though. I have one weird kid who loves spaghetti sauce, but doesn't like tomatoes, so it kind of weirded him out to see whole tomatoes in there. 🙂 Thanks again!