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
1/2 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
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Yum! Lots of cheese and nicely browned on top. I always cook with meat too, but I should try meatless Mondays too, I was actually thinking about it….but I haven't told my idea to my meat eater husband yet. 😉 Looks delicious Kim!
Ann says
Hi Kim! I'm up late, too! This looks fantastic and I bet the chili powder gives it a nice kick! Delicious!
Dee Bee says
Kim, this looks delicious. I love making pasta but never think of a pasta bake and it so easy to rustle together. Mmmm love all the mozzarella! This will definetly be going on the menu next week!
Tina says
Pasta cheese and spice-who would not want this, especially after seeing that cheesy picture. Yum!
Curt says
This looks very tasty. I love pasta dishes!
The Mom Chef says
There is nothing, nothing like a dish full of cheesy, saucy noodles. I don't care if there's meat in it or not. Way big yum.
healthyfoodietravels says
Ooh, all that cheese just looks delicious! Nothing like a good pasta bake 🙂
Lizzy says
With all that beautiful cheese, who needs meat???? YUM! And as usual, you have me giggling while reading…you're a gem, Kim B~
Cassie//Bake Your Day says
This looks wonderful! We eat meatless multiple times per week and never miss the meat. There are so many creative meatless dishes out there, I love them! This sounds like a great addition!
Jenn @ Baking Jenn's Blog says
This looks so yummy! I love all kinds of pasta dishes. I like that this one is meatless, too. I've been thinking about trying out "meatless Monday" at our house too.
Dzoli says
This seem supperyummy to me too;)
momdecuisine says
How can you miss the meat when this is COVERED in cheese?!?! Wonderful pasta and I'm sure it would be a hit in my house
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I like going meatless at least once a week too. Pasta is a great way to go meatless! This pasta bake looks tasty!
Grubarazzi says
Yummy! I bet this would be really good with spaghetti squash as well.
carolinaheartstrings says
That looks so fantastic. Delicious! Come visit. We have a wonderful three way lasagna to share.
Matt @ FaveDiets says
This looks delicious! I would love if you shared it in my Fall Food Blog Hop. Enter it for a chance at a Top Chef cookbook! http://is.gd/59HVTM
Heather says
I could east pasta every day of the week…meat or no meat!
Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes says
Dang! This looks sooo good! I've been looking for a delish pasta bake to make and this just got bumped to the top of my list. Thanks, Kim!! (and congrats on Top 9 :))
Peggy says
This sounds so yummy! Can't go wrong with going meatless (for Mondays anyway, hehe)
Corey @ Family Fresh Meals says
Kim, this cheesy pasta bake looks ridiculously good. Perfect for my vegetarian husband!
I would be honored if you would share it on my Recipe of the Week #2 PASTA post! There is a gift card giveaway 😉 Feel free to post a couple of your favorite pasta dishes. You can submit them until tomorrow.I really hope you can come join in the fun!
http://familyfreshmeals.blogspot.com/search/label/recipe%20of%20the%20week
Trish says
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 says
This makes Meatless Monday look incredibly tempting…for something other than dessert!!! 🙂
Laurie S says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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!