Cheesy Baked Pasta Recipe

It’s been quite some time since I posted a pasta recipe. So here I am posting one today. This one is loaded with ooey- gooey cheese and healthy vegetables. I have used both processed as well as mozzarella cheese in the recipe but you can use whatever you have. Also, I have added my favourite vegetable trio i.e. spinach, mushrooms and broccoli in the pasta. You can use the ones you like or can also skip the vegetables altogether. Here is a step by step recipe of this amazing melt in your mouth pasta.

Also Read: Tomato Mushroom Pasta Recipe

Ingredients:

• Macaroni-2 cups
• Water- 5 cups
• All-purpose flour- 2 tbsp.
• Butter- 3 tbsp. + 2 tbsp.
• Milk- 3 cups
• Cheese- 1 cup (grated)
• Mozzarella cheese- 1 cup (cubed)
• Spinach- ½ cup
• Broccoli- ½ cup
• Button mushroom- ½ cup (sliced)
• Bread crumbs- 3-4 tbsp.
• Garlic powder- 1 tbsp.
• Italian seasoning- 2-3 tsp.
• Salt- as per taste
• Black pepper- as per taste

Procedure:

1.  Boil 5 cups of water in a pot.
2.  Add 1 ½ tsp salt to it and then add the pasta as well as the broccoli.
3.  Cook the broccoli for 6-7 minutes and then remove from the pot. Keep it aside in a bowl.
4.  Cook the pasta according to the instructions mentioned on the packet.
5.  When the pasta is cooked, transfer it to a colander to drain the excess water. Set aside the pasta.
6.  Melt 2 tbsp. butter in a pan. Add the mushrooms and sauté them on a high flame. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
7.  Now add the boiled broccoli and continue cooking.
8.  When the mushrooms and the broccoli are done add the spinach.
9.  Add the garlic powder and cook for around 30 seconds.
10.  Turn off the flame.
11.  Now melt 3 tbsp. butter in a saucepan.
12.  Add the flour to the butter and mix the two really well.
13.  Cook the roux (butter and flour mixture) until it is brown in colour while continuously stirring it. But be extra cautious as  the roux may get burned very easily and if not cooked enough it will taste raw.
14.  Once the roux is done, start adding milk to it while stirring with a wired whisk. Make sure that there are no lumps of the  flour.
15.  Cook the sauce on a medium flame and bring it to a boil. Cook it for another 2-3 minute.
16.  Add a little salt and pepper to the sauce and then turn off the flame.
17.  Add the cooked pasta, grated cheese, mozzarella cheese and the sautéed vegetables to the prepared white sauce. (save some cheese for sprinkling on top)
18.  Mix really well.
19.  Transfer the entire content to a greased baking dish.
20.  Sprinkle the bread crumbs and the melted cheese on top of the pasta.
21.  Bake the pasta in a preheated oven at 175 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes.
22.  Remove from the oven and sprinkle the Italian seasoning.
23.  Serve the cheesy baked pasta hot with garlic bread.

Image Source: domesticate-me

Also Read: Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe