Come Summers and I hate spending hours in the kitchen! I look forward to making quick meals and getting done as soon as possible😜

My Lemon Rice is one such….even Tehri is another option if you are looking for ‘desi’ one-pot meals. Or simply go Asian with some easy Fried Rice and pair it with my spicy Schezwan Sauce!!

Cheesy Baked Pasta recipe Homemade white sauce recipe Bechamèl sauce recipe Polkapuffs recipe Penne pasta recipe

But coming to today’s post…I had made our absolute favourite last weekend! Cheesy Baked Pasta….white bechamèl (white) sauce and loads of veggies…and cheese obviously!! 😉 Although my hubby is wary of indulging in cheese or too much of calorie loaded meals, this he gobbles up without any complaints!😘

I’d been wanting to share this for the longest time but never did I ever make it for lunch so couldn’t click decent pics…and besides, I usually eyeball the ingredients when I make this, (which is very often) so that make things even more difficult to pen down! That’s why, this time around I used measuring cups and spoons for every ingredient 🤓🤓 and trust me, it took me longer than it usually takes to get this ready…😜😜😂

Cheesy Baked Pasta recipe Homemade white sauce recipe Bechamèl sauce recipe Polkapuffs recipe Penne pasta recipe

I simply love this pasta..it’s gooey, oozing with cheese and is huge on flavours! What’s not to like?! And pair this with my Tropical Iced Tea and you have yourself and really fancy brunch😀

Let’s get going then,

Yield: serves 2

Equipment: a baking dish, measuring cups/ spoons, cooling rack, a heavy bottomed non-stick pan, a wired whisk.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked pasta (I used Penne, they should be al-dentè)

1/2 cup each of chopped green & red bell pepper

1/2 cup sweet corn kernels

2-3 pods grated garlic

salt & pepper to taste

3 tbsp butter

1 tsp Italian seasonings

1/2 tsp red chilli flakes

4 tbsp APF (Maida)

1 to 11/2 cup milk at room temperature

1 tbsp cream (optional)

1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

2-3 tbsp bread crumbs

Method:

Cheesy Baked Pasta recipe Homemade white sauce recipe Bechamèl sauce recipe Polkapuffs recipe Penne pasta recipe

Melt butter in the pan, add APF. Sauté for 2-3 mins. Then add the milk and whisk the flour with the milk constantly until they combine into a smooth paste. If it looks too thick, add some more milk (about 3-4 tbsp). Add grated garlic along with cream and mix well. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning & red chilli flakes.

Next, add the veggies (you can use broccoli, mushrooms, baby spinach, zucchini, olives, fresh basil leaves, etc as well). Mix well and cook for 2-3 mins. Then, add the cooked and drained pasta. Stir carefully, cover and cook for 2 mins on low flame. Turn off the heat.

Cheesy Baked Pasta recipe Homemade white sauce recipe Bechamèl sauce recipe Polkapuffs recipe Penne pasta recipe

Preheat the oven at 180’C.

Pour the cooked pasta with the sauce and veggies into a baking dish. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella on top of the pasta evenly. Top it with bread crumbs too (it gives an au gratin like texture). Bake this at 180’C for 10-15 mins or until the cheese bubbles and the top looks nice & golden brown. Take it out of the oven and cool it for a few mins on the cooling rack. Serve it piping hot 😁

Cheesy Baked Pasta recipe Homemade white sauce recipe Bechamèl sauce recipe Polkapuffs recipe Penne pasta recipe

This is such a comfort meal…and takes hardly any time to get done!

Tip: If you have leftovers, let them remain in the baking dish. Cover it with a foil and keep it in the refrigerator. Just heat it in the microwave the next day for about 2-3 mins. It will be as good as fresh 👍🏼

Love,

Shreya💓

4 comments on “Cheesy Baked Pasta”

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