Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
• Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make It
• Tip for Success
• More Easy Pasta Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

This December, I’m taking a break from holiday recipes to share with you what is quite possibly the easiest, simplest pasta recipe I’ve ever made! I figure this easy dinner idea is just as welcome as Christmas cookies, because dang if this time of the year isn’t super crazy! The easier the better for dinner, in my book.

This Crock Pot Baked Ziti stemmed from a super simple pasta recipe that I found in Cook’s Illustrated. They basically scaled back baked ziti to its simplest elements, adding heavy whipping cream for a rich and creamy sauce + fresh basil for loads of flavor.

I’d been wanting to create a super easy Crock Pot pasta recipe, so I thought I’d use that recipe as inspiration and create a simple, cheesy, creamy tomato-based ziti that is super simple to make and cooks up right in the slow cooker while I’m going out about my busy day.

I was so happy with how this Crock Pot Baked Ziti turned out! It cooks up quickly for a slow cooker dinner, tastes so good, and is super low-effort! A trifecta of Crock Pot goodness.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

• Quick to prep – I created this recipe to be nearly chopping-free so that it’s super fast to prep. The only chopping to do is giving the fresh basil a quick chiffonade.
• Family friendly – With simple ingredients, this creamy, cheesy Crock Pot pasta tends to be a hit with kids as well as grown-ups.

Crock Pot Baked Ziti Recipe Ingredients

• Pasta – I use penne or ziti pasta, but another medium tubular pasta would work too. You’ll want 12 ounces. I know it’s not a full bag/container of pasta and that’s annoying! I try really hard to use full containers of food or at least quantities that aren’t super odd. But I found that the full pound was too much and the half pound was not enough. I like to save the remaining pasta for a big pot of minestrone soup.
• Crushed canned tomatoes – You’ll need one large can (28 ounces).
• Water – Two cups to help cook the pasta.
• Sugar – This is optional, but I find that pureed tomatoes can be fairly acidic, and a teaspoon or two of sugar helps to cut down on the acidity.
• Garlic powder – I like to use garlic powder to get that garlicky taste without having to break out the cutting board and knife. If you prefer to use fresh garlic, I recommend a couple of cloves. I’ve tried it both ways and it’s great either way.
• Crushed red pepper flakes – Just 1/4 teaspoon for a teeny little touch of heat. If you’re serving any sensitive palates, feel free to leave it out.
• Salt & pepper
• Heavy cream
• Basil – Fresh basil is best, but during those times of year when basil is a little more difficult to find in grocery stores, I’ve subbed in a couple of tablespoons of freeze-dried basil and it’s worked well. In my area, the freeze-dried basil is usually in little tubs placed right with the fresh herbs in the produce section.
• Mozzarella – You’ll stir some in and you’ll top the Crock Pot Baked Ziti with the remainder.
• Parmesan cheese

How to Make It

1. First, add the pasta, tomatoes, water, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to your Crock Pot. Stir to combine.
2. Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook until the pasta is JUST tender, around d 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low.
3. Lift up the lid and stir in the cream, basil, and half of the cheeses. Stir and give it a quick taste. Feel like it needs a bit more salt and pepper? Add it now!
4. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Replace the lid and cook for a few minutes longer until the cheese has melted.
5. Garnish with more basil if you like and serve.

Tip for Success

• Don’t overcook the pasta! I know it can be tempting to push it, but when you’re cooking pasta in the Crock Pot, it’s important not to overcook the pasta. It can get mushy fast.

I hope you love this Crock Pot Baked Ziti! I find it to be such a savior for impossibly busy weeknights.

More Easy Pasta Recipes

• The Laziest Lazy Lasagna Ever
• Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie
• Baked Boursin Pasta
• Baked Mac & Cheese Recipe

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Crock Pot Baked Ziti

The easiest slow cooker pasta recipe ever! Cheesy tender pasta in a tomato-cream sauce … what's not to love? Everything cooks right in the Crock Pot – even the pasta.

Keyword crock pot baked ziti, crock pot creamy tomato pasta, slow cooker baked ziti

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 395kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 3-quart or larger slow cooker

Ingredients

• 12 ounces dry penne or ziti pasta
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 large can
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar optional*
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped; or 2 tablespoons freeze-dried basil
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded; about 1 cup; divided
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese divided

Instructions

• Add the pasta, tomatoes, water, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
• Cook on high for about 2 hours or low 4 hours, until the pasta is just tender. Take care not to overcook or the pasta can get mushy.
• Stir in the heavy cream, basil, and half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Replace lid and cook for 20-30 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve.

Notes

* Sugar seems like a weird ingredient here, I know! I find that pureed tomatoes can be fairly acidic, and the sugar helps to cut down on the acidity. You can absolutely leave it out, or give it a taste before adding the cream and see if you think it needs it. It’s good either way.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water or in the microwave. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 568mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 814IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Crock Pot Baked Ziti appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff
• Tips for Success
• More Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

Stroganoff was one of my favorite dishes growing up. My mom would make it with ground beef and while the mushrooms were there, they were pretty much invisible, which is just how I liked my mushrooms as a kid.

I’ve since learned to love mushrooms (as evidenced by my mushroom gravy and mushroom pizza!) – and now think that mushrooms are the best thing about stroganoff. But as a vegetarian, the beef had to go, so I set out to create a mushroom stroganoff recipe that reminded me of the dish growing up, but was meatless yet just as hearty.

Lentils came to mind first and foremost – they’re a great substitute for beef in a recipe. You get that hearty touch with protein and fiber, plus the nice texture that whole lentils contribute. (My lentil walnut taco meat proves the point, in my opinion!)

Next, I wanted traditional flavors in the sauce, so I made it nice and creamy with sour cream and a touch of tang from whole-grain mustard.

I really wanted this one to be a one-pot prep situation, but just couldn’t swing it. The lentils take a really long time to cook, and I didn’t want the mushrooms to get overcooked. Meanwhile, one-pot pasta is amazing and convenient, but I didn’t want to risk the noodles getting mushy, so I decided to cook them separately. So it’s not one pot, but this Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff is still fairly easy to make, overall. And so worth it!

Why You’ll Love Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff

• It’s hearty vegetarian comfort food. What more is there to say?!!

Ingredients

• Brown lentils – You’ll want cooked brown lentils for this vegetarian stroganoff. You can use another whole lentil like green or even black would be delicious, however, I don’t recommend split red lentils, because they dissolve and you’ll miss out on the texture that whole lentils bring.
• Egg noodles – The traditional stroganoff noodle!
• Butter – For sautéing your onion, garlic, and mushrooms. If you prefer olive oil, that will work too.
• Onion – I use a standard yellow onion.
• Garlic
• Mushrooms – Simple white button mushrooms are fine here, but you can use cremini mushrooms if you like. To wash them, swish them in a bowl of water then use a damp paper towel to wipe off any remaining residue.
• Flour – This helps to thicken the stroganoff sauce.
• Paprika – A traditional ingredient in stroganoff, lending its classic sweet and smoky flavor.
• Salt & pepper
• Vegetable broth – Just a cup. I like to use a teaspoon of vegetarian Better-than-Bouillon mixed with a cop of warm water.
• Whole grain mustard – A must; don’t leave it out!
• Worcestershire sauce – Traditional Worcestershire sauce is NOT vegetarian (it has anchovies!), but there are a couple of types of vegetarian Worcestershire sauce that are available at most well-stocked grocery stores.
• Sour cream – For that tangy, creamy stroganoff sauce you know and love.
• Parsley – For added flavor and a pop of color.

Adaptations/Variations

• Vegan Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff: Swap in egg-free pasta, olive oil for the butter, and a vegan sour cream substitute.

Tips for Success

• Cook your lentils and egg noodles while chopping your veggies and getting everything else ready. Mise en place is such a sanity saver!
• If you’re meal-prepping this vegetarian stroganoff, I recommend storing the noodles and sauce separately. It’s not bad mixed and warmed together, but the noodles do get a little mushy, so overall it’s better separate.

I hope this mushroom lentil stroganoff recipe brings back cozy comfort food memories for you like it does for me! I love having an option for vegetarian stroganoff that doesn’t need meat but that’s still hearty and absolutely delicious.

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Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff

Creamy, hearty stroganoff, just like what Mom used to make – but this time, it's vegetarian!

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword lentil stroganoff, mushroom lentil stroganoff, mushroom stroganoff, vegetarian stroganoff

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 466kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked brown lentils see notes for cooking instructions
• 8 ounces egg noodles 1/2 pound
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 pound white button mushrooms sliced, about 6 cups whole mushrooms, 430g, 16 ounces
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley plus more for garnish

Instructions

Cook lentils

• First, make sure you've cooked your lentils (you can also cook them while you prep the rest of your ingredients).

Cook egg noodles

• Set a large pot of salted water over high heat. When boiling, add the egg noodles and cook until tender according to package instructions (usually 5-6 minutes). Drain and set aside.

Make the stroganoff

• Place a large pot or saute pan over medium-low heat. Melt the butter in the pan, then add the onions along with a pinch of salt. Sweat the onions until translucent and tender, 5-6 minutes (if they start to brown, lower the heat).
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for one more minute.
• Add the mushrooms. Increase the heat to medium-high. Let the mushrooms cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes, then stir occasionally until tender, about 8 more minutes.
• Sprinkle the flour, paprika, salt, and pepper over the mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes.
• Stream in the vegetable broth. Add the mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until the sauce has thickened. Stir in the sour cream and the lentils.
• Remove from heat and fold in the pasta, gently stirring and breaking up the noodles until coated. Stir in the parsley. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Garnish with more chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

For 1 cup of cooked brown lentils, rinse then simmer 1/3 cup dried brown lentils with 1 cup water for around 25 minutes until tender. I’ll often cook a larger batch of lentils then use the rest of the lentils for another purpose.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 805mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 778IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 4mg

More Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

• The Best Mac & Cheese Recipe Ever
• Baked Boursin Pasta
• Creamy Artichoke Baked Pasta
• Veggie Pot Pie Pasta
• One-Pot Tortellini

The post Mushroom Lentil Stroganoff appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love One-Pot Tortellini Alfredo
• Ingredients
• How to Make One-Pot Tortellini Alfredo
• Tips for Success
• More Easy Pasta Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’m a huge fan of one-pot pasta dishes. I created this creamy one-pot pumpkin pasta years ago, and when I’m craving more veggies, I go for this one-pot pasta primavera.

The … selective … eater in our house (ahem, not naming names, love you kiddo!) has recently been adding more pasta into their rotation, and is a fan of Alfredo, so I thought this one-pot tortellini Alfredo would go over well. And, yay! It did!

Not only is the kid a fan, the grown-ups are too. I love how easy this one pot tortellini Alfredo is to make, and it’s one of those great versatile recipes that is as perfect for weeknight dinners as it is for a little dinner party.

Why You’ll Love One-Pot Tortellini Alfredo

• SO delicious – The garlicky creamy sauce with parmesan is to die for. So good!
• Simple & easy – Just a few ingredients and a bit of prep time and your creamy tortellini Alfredo is ready to serve!

Ingredients

• Tortellini – I like to use refrigerated pasta for this creamy garlic parmesan tortellini. Because I’m a vegetarian, I go for cheese tortellini, but you can swap in any kind.
• Olive oil – For sautéing the shallot and garlic
• Shallot – Sautéed at the beginning of the process, the shallot creates the backbone of a flavorful Alfredo-inspired sauce. If you don’t have any shallots on hand, a small onion will work just fine.
• Garlic – You’ll want three cloves of fresh garlic, finely minced.
• Italian seasoning mix – Grab some in the seasonings section of just about any grocery store, or make your own Italian seasoning mix at home (it’s super easy to whip up!)
• Vegetable broth – Helps create a full-of-flavor, rich sauce.
• Heavy cream – For that thick, rich, glorious sauce!
• Nutmeg – Optional, but highly recommended.
• Salt & pepper
• Spinach – You don’t have to add it, but I like to throw a little in there at the end of the process to get some veggies in.
• Parmesan cheese – For the best BEST creamy sauce. 1/2 cup, plus more for topping your one-pot tortellini.
• Fresh basil or parsley – Also optional but lovely for additional flavor and pretty color.

Tips for Success

• The sauce will thicken up when serving. It might seem thin at first, but have faith in the process!
• For smaller pieces of spinach that all but disappears into the dish, chop it up a bit before adding it.

I hope you love this One-Pot Creamy Tortellini Alfredo as much as my family does! This has become a great go-to easy recipe for us. It’s creamy and comforting and cozy and garlicky and everything good about tortellini + Alfredo.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Please come back and leave a review.

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One-Pot Tortellini Alfredo Recipe

Tender cheese tortellini in a rich and creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce. Comes together in a single pot and under 30 minutes to make!

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword one pot tortellini, one pot tortellini alfredo, tortellini alfredo

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Calories 696kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 medium-size dutch oven or deep skillet

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small shallot finely chopped; can substitute 1/3 cup finely diced onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
• 10 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini 1 package
• 1 ounce baby spinach, chopped small 1 cup packed
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese + more for garnish
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chiffonaded for garnish; can substitute parsley

Instructions

• Set a medium to large skillet or pot over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and shallot. Sauté, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the Italian seasoning, then stream in the broth and cream. Add the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
• Add the tortellini to the simmering sauce. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens slightly, 9-10 minutes. The sauce will seem thin at first, but it will continue to thicken as it cooks and thicken even more once it's done cooking.
• Stir in the spinach and Parmesan until the spinach has wilted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
• Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and basil. Serve.

Notes

Meat option:

Add crisp prosciutto or pancetta on top for a salty crunch

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 696kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1396mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2524IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 360mg | Iron: 3mg

More Easy Pasta Recipes

• Lazy Cheese Lasagna
• One Pot Pumpkin Pasta
• Baked Boursin Pasta
• Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie

The post One-Pot Creamy Tortellini Alfredo Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Why You’ll Love Caprese Tortellini Skewers

• Fresh, easy, and delicious – Who doesn’t love the caprese combo of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil? This one levels it up with tender cheese tortellini + tangy-sweet balsamic syrup.
• Easy to make ahead of time – Thread your skewers up to a couple of days ahead of time, and make your balsamic reduction while you’re at it. Then, when it’s time to serve them, line them up on a platter, drizzle with the balsamic syrup, and you’re done!
• Pretty & colorful – I just love how these caprese tortellini skewers look as an appetizer display. They’re so full of vibrant color that people are always drawn to them first!

Ingredients

• Cheese tortellini – Grab your favorite brand, fresh or frozen, and cook them according to package directions.
• Cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes will work, too. Heirloom cherry tomatoes in shades of yellow, orange, purple, and red are gorgeous, too!
• Ciliegine mozzarella – These are the small, cherry-size mozzarella balls found in the deli and/or cheese section of most well-stocked grocery stores. If you can’t find ciliegine mozzarella, you can buy larger fresh mozzarella balls like bocconcini and cut them in half or quarters.
• Basil – You’ll want lots of fresh basil leaves.
• Balsamic reduction – Made simply by simmering balsamic vinegar until it’s thick and sweet. I have full instructions for how to make balsamic syrup (balsamic reduction) here!
• Sea salt – I like to finish these caprese tortellini skewers with a pinch of coarse finishing salt like Maldon.

Adaptation/Variation

• Plain ol’ caprese skewers – For a lower-carb option or if you just don’t have (or don’t want) tortellini, you can leave it out for a caprese salad on a skewer situation.

Tip for Success

• Dry your ingredients well. After washing your tomatoes and basil, be sure to dry them thoroughly. Same with the mozzarella balls; they’ll come in a brine, so pat them with a paper towel to dry them.

I hope these Caprese Tortellini Skewers are your new favorite vegetarian appetizer! We love these so much; they’re fun to make and everyone devours them.

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Caprese Tortellini Skewers

An easy appetizer made with cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella balls, fresh basil, and tasty cheese tortellini! Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze to seal the deal.

Keyword caprese appetizer, caprese skewers, caprese tortellini appetizer, caprese tortellini skewers

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 24 skewers

Calories 61kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

Balsamic Reduction Glaze:

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar

Caprese Tortellini Skewers:

• 1/2 pound cheese tortellini fresh or frozen; 2 cups; cooked and drained
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes about 48 tomatoes
• 8 ounces ciliegine mozzarella aka cherry-sized mozzarella balls
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• a few pinches coarse sea salt like maldon
• 2-3 tablespoons balsamic reduction aka balsamic syrup

Instructions

Make the Balsamic Glaze:

• Pour the vinegar into a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to a light simmer and simmer for approximately 12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the mixture just starts to thicken. Test it by inserting a metal spoon, and if it coats the spoon lightly, it's done. Allow the balsamic glaze to cool completely (it will thicken as it cools). 1 cup of balsamic vinegar yields about 1/2 cup of balsamic reduction, so you will have some left over.

Make the Caprese Tortellini Skewers:

• Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to let cool.
• Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes.
• Drain the mozzarella balls and place them in a bowl.
• Pick the leaves off of the basil (you'll need around 48), wash, and dry them.
• Set up an assembly line with skewers/cocktail picks and the ingredients.
• Build your skewers by adding a cherry tomato, folded basil leaf, mozzarella ball, tortellini, another basil leaf, and finish with a tomato. Repeat until all skewers are built.
• Arrange on a serving platter and finish with balsamic reduction drizzled over the top and a couple of pinches of coarse sea salt. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 2skewers | Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg

More Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes

• Cheese and Olive Skewers
• Watermelon and Tofu “Feta” Skewers
• Cucumber Cream Cheese Canapes
• Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs

The post Caprese Tortellini Skewers Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

We’re talking 6 ingredients + a skillet and you’re on your way to the simplest yet most delicious Alfredo Sauce ever.

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Homemade Alfredo Sauce
• Alfredo Sauce Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Easy Alfredo Sauce
• Tips for Success
• Serving Suggestions
• More Pasta Sauce Recipes
• FAQs

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Alfredo Sauce

• Simple and easy – No roux, nothing finicky in this easy alfredo sauce recipe – just garlic, cream, and cheese simmered together until thick, rich, and perfect.
• Versatile – Use this Alfredo sauce for pasta, gnocchi, rice, as a pizza sauce, to dip breadsticks into … we basically consider this our “house” Alfredo sauce that we use in myriad ways.
• Delicious – It’s creamy, cheesy, and the perfect consistency. If you’re looking for an easy yet rich Alfredo sauce, this is it!

Alfredo Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Butter – To sauté the garlic and to add flavor to your homemade Alfredo sauce. If you prefer olive oil, that works too!
• Garlic – I like to use fresh, finely minced garlic in my Alfredo for best flavor. If you’re short on time and would rather not chop, you can sub in 1/2 teaspoon or so of garlic powder. No need to sauté it for a minute, though.
• Italian seasoning – Grab it at the store in the spices and seasonings section, or make your own Italian seasoning blend at home (it’s super easy!)
• Heavy whipping cream – Makes a super thick and rich Alfredo sauce without needing to make a roux (a blend of butter/oil and flour that helps thicken sauces)
• Salt – To help highlight the flavors. My standard for cooking is kosher salt.
• Parmesan cheese – Shredded Parm adds cheesy flavor and helps to thicken your homemade Alfredo.

Tips for Success

• Don’t boil it! This homemade Alfredo sauce is made with heavy whipping cream, which can curdle if heated too high. Bring it just to a gentle simmer.
• Practice mise en place. This means having all of your ingredients measured and ready to go before you start cooking. The process goes rather quickly, so for me at least, making Alfredo sauce goes much more smoothly when I have everything ready before starting.

Serving Suggestions

• Toss with pasta (especially fettuccine!) for the most creamy and decadent dish.
• Quickly cook up some gnocchi, drain, and toss with this easy alfredo sauce. Dinner will be ready in 10 minutes, and it’s SO good.
• My kid, who is obsessed with breadsticks + alfredo sauce, would be so sad if I didn’t mention that homemade alfredo sauce is excellent as a dipping sauce for bread (especially breadsticks).
• Toss with veggies such as steamed broccoli or cauliflower.
• If you’re a meat-eater, homemade alfredo sauce is also excellent with chicken or shrimp.
• Alfredo sauce is excellent in place of pizza sauce! It’s a creamy base that pairs especially well with veggies.

I hope you love our house Alfredo sauce as much as we do! This Alfredo sauce recipe is one of those “back pocket” recipes that’s perfect for whipping out when I need to get an easy, family-friendly meal on the table, fast.

More Pasta Sauce Recipes

• Vegan Alfredo Sauce (this one’s ready in 5 minutes, and uses cashews [trust me]. It’s perfect for if you’re feeding vegans or limiting dairy.
• Red Lentil Pasta Sauce – with an added dose of protein and fiber thanks to hidden red lentils!
• Bean Bolognese – Legumes create a “beefy” bolognese that’s healthy and delicious.
• Magic 3-Ingredient Tomato Sauce – The sauce that Marcella Hazan made famous. It’s delicious!
• 10 Quick & Easy Pasta Sauces – A list of many of my favorites!

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Easy Alfredo Sauce Recipe

All you need are 6 ingredients and 10 minutes to make the most luxurious, creamy, cheesy garlic Alfredo sauce recipe. Perfect for pasta, gnocchi, and everything else!

Keyword alfredo sauce, alfredo sauce recipe, easy alfredo sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 476kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups Parmesan cheese 6 ounces

Instructions

• Place a skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter in the skillet.
• Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, for one minute, until fragrant.
• Add the heavy whipping cream and the salt. Bring just to a simmer, stirring frequently, then stir in the Parmesan cheese. Heat until thickened and warmed through. Toss with pasta or gnocchi and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 476kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 964mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1532IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 641mg | Iron: 1mg

FAQs

Can I make Alfredo sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely. Homemade Alfredo sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or on low heat in the microwave, stirring frequently.

How do you reheat Alfredo sauce without it separating?
Reheat VERY slowly over VERY low heat and add a splash of milk or cream while stirring. Avoid microwaving on high heat, which can cause the sauce to break.

Can I make this Alfredo sauce without heavy cream?
Yes, you can substitute whole milk or half-and-half, though the sauce will be thinner.

Is Alfredo sauce gluten-free?
Yes, traditional Alfredo sauce is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure your Parmesan cheese and butter are certified gluten-free if needed.

What can I serve with Alfredo sauce besides pasta?
Alfredo sauce is great with chicken, shrimp, roasted vegetables, gnocchi, or as a white sauce for pizza.

The post Easy Alfredo Sauce appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

This creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi is made with 10 ingredients and only takes about 15 minutes to whip up. Not only is it a weeknight savior, seriously delicious, and easy, but the combination of flavors will have your loved one exclaiming “marry me!” after one bite. Or so the story goes.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Marry-Me Gnocchi
• Ingredients
• Adaptation/Variation
• How to Make Marry-Me Gnocchi
• Tip for Success
• More Gnocchi & Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I’ve been eyeing the “marry me” trend for awhile now. It started with marry-me chicken then quickly moved on to many variations with pasta, chickpeas, tofu, and more. So much more.

While I’m not sure about the stability of a relationship that gets its start from a recipe, I do agree that the combination of flavors is inspirational, if not freaking delicious!

I decided I wanted to make my first marry-me recipe with gnocchi – because not a whole lot is better than gnocchi in a creamy sauce! Plus, I love how easy and fast it is to transform a package of store-bought gnocchi into a knockout of a dish within minutes. And this marry-me gnocchi is no exception!

Ingredients

• Olive oil – For sautéing the garlic and Italian seasoning. You can also use the oil from the jar of your sun-dried tomatoes for a boost of tomato flavor.
• Vegetable broth – For simmering the gnocchi and infusing some flavor.
• Gnocchi – The standard shelf-stable potato gnocchi you find in the pasta section at the grocery store.
• Sun-dried tomatoes – You’ll want about 1/2 cup of drained, chopped sun-dried tomatoes. I use the ones packed in oil.
• Crushed red pepper flakes – Just a bit for a smidge of heat.
• Salt & pepper
• Parmesan cheese – Make sure you grab a vegetarian Parm if that matters to you.
• Heavy whipping cream – For that gloriously rich and creamy sauce.
• Spinach – I like to use packaged baby spinach. It’s so convenient! I tend to pile the leaves on my cutting board and give them a few chops so that the wilted leaves aren’t quite so large when served.
• Basil – Fresh basil added at the end lends so much flavor! I like to leave a few extra for garnish.

Adaptation/Variation

• To make this a vegan marry-me gnocchi recipe, you can sub in full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream for the whipped cream and use vegan Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Marry-Me Gnocchi

1. First, you’ll add the olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning to a large skillet and give it a quick sauté.
2. Then, you’ll add the broth, gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cover it up and let it simmer for just a few minutes, until the gnocchi is cooked through.
3. Third, stir in the spinach until wilted.
4. Now it’s time to transform your marry-me gnocchi into the most glorious creamy gnocchi dish ever. Pour in your heavy whipping cream, then add the Parmesan and fresh basil. Stir until blended and warmed through.
5. Yum! Serve topped with additional basil, more Parm, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if you like.

Jump to the full, printable recipe

Tip for Success

• Be sure and cover the gnocchi while it simmers in the broth. This will help retain the liquid for a nice and saucy result.

I hope this Marry-Me Gnocchi brings you everything you want this Valentine’s Day and beyond! Whether it’s a marriage proposal or just self-love because you’ve just made the most AMAZING dish all on your own, I hope you find yourself just as in love with Marry Me Gnocchi as we are.

More Gnocchi & Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

• Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Veggies
• Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
• The Best Vegetarian Lasagna Ever
• The Best Macaroni & Cheese Recipe Ever
• Baked Boursin Pasta

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Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe

Tender gnocchi in a rich and creamy sun-dried tomato sauce! What's not to love?

Keyword marry me gnocchi, marry me pasta, sun dried tomato gnocchi, tuscan gnocchi

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Total Time 17 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 528kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 16 ounces gnocchi
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves chiffonaded [rolled and cut into ribbons], plus more for garnish

Top with

• basil leaves
• shredded Parmesan cheese
• crushed red pepper flakes if you'd like additional heat

Instructions

• Place a large saute pan over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté for one minute, until tender and fragrant.
• Stream in the vegetable broth while stirring to pick up any stuck bits, then add the gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover for 5 minutes until the gnocchi is tender. Remove the lid and stir in the spinach. Cook for about a minute, until wilted, then stir in the Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and fresh basil. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve topped with additional Parmesan cheese and basil.

Notes

Storage notes:

Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Store for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or gently over the stovetop with a splash of broth or water. 

Vegan/Dairy-Free Option:

Swap in unsweetened cashew creamer (try this cashew creamer recipe w/o sweetener or vanilla) or full-fat coconut milk for the heavy whipping cream. Swap in vegan/dairy free Parm instead of the dairy Parmesan. Make sure the gnocchi does not container dairy and/or egg. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1296mg | Potassium: 639mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2468IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 9mg

The post Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love This Pasta Pie
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie
• Tips for Success
• More Pasta Bake Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

Like most everyone else, I’m a huge fan of the food blog Smitten Kitchen. Deb has been blogging since the beginning, and she’s done it SO well.

A few years ago, she shared the recipe for a winter squash and spinach pasta bake that was inspired by a similar pasta “cake” by British chef Yotam Ottolenghi. I’ve made this pasta bake more times than I can count, revising and refining it into my own version of the recipe that I absolutely love.

The concept is similar to my laziest lazy lasagna – simply toss everything together, raw pasta and all, in a big bowl, then spread it in a baking dish and bake until perfect. It’s light on the hands-on time, and even though the baking (and resting) times are quite long, clocking in at two hours, with a little planning ahead this butternut squash pasta pie makes for a super easy dinner.

The best part, other than it being super easy to make, is that this pasta pie holds up flawlessly for easy leftovers. We don’t have a microwave, so we add a couple of slices to our steamer basket and steam it for about 5 minutes until warmed through. Perfection.

One of these Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pies feeds us for multiple dinners and lunches for several days! It’s just so awesome.

Ottolenghi calls this a cake, and Deb calls it a bake. I deviate and instead call it a pasta pie. Growing up, we used to eat this delicious spaghetti pie that would cook up in a similar shape and style and you’d serve it in wedges, so in my mind, it’s a pie.

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Pie

• It’s super easy. Mix it up in a big bowl, dump it into your springform pan, and let the oven do all the work.
• It’s comfort food with a twist. We’ve got comforting cheesy pasta, but we also have protein thanks to the cheeses and nutrients courtesy of the butternut squash and spinach.
• The leftovers! I know I keep droning on about the leftovers, but seriously. The best.

Ingredients

• Butternut squash – You’ll need about 1/4 of a medium-size squash.
• Spinach – I like to use packaged pre-washed baby spinach. It’s just so easy! I do give it a few extra chops just so the pieces aren’t super big.
• Pasta – I like penne pasta best in this butternut squash pasta bake, but another medium pasta will work just fine, or even broken-up lasagna pasta.
• Ricotta cheese – I like full-fat for the most creamy result.
• Parmesan – For loads of umami flavor. Both mixed into the pasta and melted on top.
• Mozzarella cheese – Low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella is my preference.
• Water – I know it feels weird to mix water in! Just trust me. It helps cook the pasta and ultimately evaporates.
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder – Fresh garlic is delicious and works too, but I’ve noticed that garlic powder tastes great as well, and it’s so much easier. Easy is good.
• Crushed red pepper flakes – For a touch of heat. You can leave these out if you are feeding kiddos or anyone sensitive to spiciness.
• Thyme – Love the flavor dried thyme adds! You can use fresh thyme if you have it and would rather; I suggest doubling the quantity if so.
• Salt & pepper – Mixed in, and a little more for serving, if you like.

Adaptations/Variations

• Swap out the squash: Most any winter squash or pumpkin will work well. Not sure which squash you want to try? Check out my Ultimate Squash Guide on my other blog.
• Try kale instead of spinach – Just make sure to de-stem it first and chop into bite-size pieces.
• Try another cheese. Smitten Kitchen’s version uses fontina; over the years, I’ve switched to mozzarella because I’m such more likely to have it on hand (and I love it!) Swiss, Gruyere, or even cheddar would all be great.

How to Make Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie

I’ve found that it can be hard to make sure all of the cheeses and seasonings are distributed, so I like to mix the cheese, water, and seasonings first, then add the big bulky items (the spinach, squash, and pasta).

So first up, you’ll want to grab a big bowl – the bigger the better! Add the egg, ricotta, half of the parmesan, the mozzarella, water, the seasonings, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Whisk everything together until well-blended, then add the pasta, spinach, and butternut squash and, using a sturdy spatula, mix until combined.

Now it’s time to pile everything into your springform pan! Line it with parchment paper – I like to do a “plus sign” of paper, with plenty hanging over the edges.

Pour the entire bowl of pasta mixture into the parchment-lined springform, press it in gently to make sure it’s even, then fold the parchment paper that’s over the sides back over the top of the pie.

And then cover the whole thing with foil, place it on a sturdy baking sheet to catch any spillage, and bake for an hour.

After an hour, you’ll want to remove the foil, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top, and continue baking it uncovered for the remaining 30 minutes.

The last 30 minutes are the hardest! Because this is your resting time. In order for the pasta pie to hold together well, it’s highly recommended that you rest it for 30 minutes after baking it.

Rested? Good! Now unclip your springform and relish in your perfect butternut squash and spinach pasta pie! Slice into wedges, serve, and devour.

Tips for Success

• If possible, definitely use a springform pan. You’ll want a standard size 9-inch” springform pan with 3″ tall sides. That said, this will probably work in an 8×8″ casserole dish. I haven’t tried it, and you’ll want to scoop it out more like a lasagna vs. in wedges.
• Use a baking sheet to catch drips. It’s worth the extra insurance!
• Don’t skip the resting step. It helps the pie hold together.
• Cut the butternut squash into small-size cubes. My cubes often end up bigger than I meant to, so I intentionally try to cut them smaller (about 1/2-inch). I like the smaller bites and feel that size goes better with the overall dish.

I hope this Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie is as much a revelation for you as it has been for us! It’s just so easy and so tasty, the perfect vegetarian pasta bake.

More Pasta Bake Recipes

• The Best Mac & Cheese
• Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
• Best Vegetarian Lasagna
• The Laziest Lazy Lasagna Ever
• Four-Cheese Baked Ziti

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Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie Recipe

If you've had baked spaghetti pie, this pasta bake is similar in concept. Pasta, cheeses, squash, and spinach are baked together and then sliced into wedges for serving. This pasta pie tastes SO good and makes super easy, amazing leftovers!

Keyword butternut squash pasta bake, pasta pie

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 8 wedges

Calories 353kcal

Author Kare

Equipment

• 1 9" springform pan
• parchment paper
• foil

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan divided in half
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil divided [you'll reserve 1 tablespoon for drizzling over the top]
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups winter squash cubed small [1 pound, or about 1/4 of a medium-size butternut squash]
• 5 ounces baby spinach roughly chopped
• 8 ounces penne pasta can sub another type of medium dried pasta or lasagna noodles broken into 1-inch pieces

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a nine-inch springform pan with parchment paper. I like to use two pieces in plus sign to ensure coverage Fold the sides over the edge.
• In a very large bowl, beat the egg. Add the ricotta, 1/2 the parmesan, mozzarella, water, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.
• Add the butternut squash, spinach, and pasta. Using a large, sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, mix well.
• Pour the mix into the lined springform pan. Press gently to make sure it'a all even. Sprinkle with the second half of the parmesan. Fold the parchment paper that was hanging over the sides up and over the top and cover tightly with foil.
• Place on a baking sheet to catch any spillage and bake for 1 hour, then remove the foil and fold the sides down, drizzle on the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and bake for another 30 minutes uncovered until golden in spots on top.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes.
• Remove the springform ring and slide the pasta bake by the parchment paper onto a platter. Cut into wedges and serve.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop (we usually steam leftover wedges in a steamer basket on the stovetop).

Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen’s winter squash and spinach pasta bake which was adapted from pasta “cake” by British chef Yotam Ottolenghi. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1wedge | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 553mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 11484IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta Pie Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Veggie Lasagna Soup
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Veggie Lasagna Soup
• Tip for Success
• More Veggie-Packed Soup Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

Many, many years ago, I developed a vegetarian lasagna soup recipe for another website, and over the years, I’ve made lasagna soup a LOT!

I’ve refined and perfected the recipe, adding more veggies and simplifying where I can, until I’ve landed on a veggie lasagna soup recipe that I adore even more. So I thought it was time to share!

This soup is made with a tomato-broth base, broken-up lasagna pasta, carrots, spinach, zucchini, and white beans, for a hearty soup that’s sort of like a veggie minestrone – but with lasagna noodles! And a big dollop of ricotta-mozzarella blend on top! 😋

Why You’ll Love Veggie Lasagna Soup

If you love veggie lasagna, I think you’ll love this vegetarian lasagna soup! It’s full of flavor + veggies and the beans and cheese add a bit of protein, making it a nice, hearty, satiating affair.

Serve with a nice kale salad and some garlic bread for the full meal deal!

Ingredients

For the lasagna soup:

• Olive oil – For sautéing the first base layer of flavor.
• Onion – Standard yellow onion, diced
• Carrots – Adds nutrition and, together with the onions, a nice backbone of flavor.
• Italian seasoning – The mix of Italian spices can be found in your local grocery store, or you can make your own homemade Italian seasoning (highly recommended!)
• Garlic
• Vegetable broth – Grab a box of low-sodium veggie broth at the store or make your own vegetable broth from scraps in the Crock Pot – it’s super satisfying (and tastes amazing!)
• Crushed tomatoes – Grab your favorite brand from the store. Diced tomatoes will work here, too, if you prefer something a bit chunkier.
• Navy beans – I prefer to use small white navy beans in this soup because they sort of retreat to the background (the pasta and cheese are the star of the show!) but still add heartiness. But I have used cannellini beans and chickpeas often, too – both options work well!
• Salt & pepper
• Zucchini
• Lasagna pasta – You’ll want to break up the pasta, or you can opt for a different pasta if you prefer. Rotini is great!
• Sugar – A weird ingredient for soup, I know, but the sugar helps to balance out the acidity from the tomatoes. I’ve included it as an optional ingredient because sometimes it’s not necessary.
• Spinach – I like to give baby spinach a rough chop before adding it to soup so that the pieces aren’t too big.
• Parsley

For the cheesy goodness:

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Salt & pepper

Adaptations/Variations

• Vegan/dairy-free lasagna soup: The soup itself is already dairy-free and vegan – it’s just the cheesy topping you’ll need to address. Mix almond ricotta (you can find it in stores) with vegan mozzarella shreds and a couple of teaspoons of nutritional yeast.
• Gluten-free veggie lasagna soup: Swap the pasta for your favorite GF pasta. It doesn’t have to be lasagna noodles; any medium shape will be great (rotini is excellent in this soup!)
• Meat option: If you have a meat-eater in the house, you can mix some cooked and drained ground beef or ground crumbled sausage to the carnivorous portions.

How to Make Veggie Lasagna Soup

Classic one-pot prep is one of the things that makes soup amazing! Grab a soup pot/Dutch oven and saute your aromatics – carrots, onion, Italian seasoning, and garlic. I like to saute the Italian seasoning right up front to really help “wake up” the flavors.

Next, add the tomatoes, beans, and broth. Once that comes to a boil, break in your pasta and add the zucchini.

And then simmer until your pasta is tender! Stir in the parsley and spinach, and then give it a taste. Is it tasting a bit acidic? If so, add the sugar. (Some canned tomatoes can lend an acidic taste, so I like to include the option of a touch of sugar in this recipe to help tame the acid.)

Then, in a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, parm, salt, and pepper.

Scoop out your glorious lasagna soup into individual bowls …

… and top each bowl with a generous dollop of the cheesy ricotta goodness.

And then dig in!

Tip for Success

• Break your lasagna into smaller-than-you-think pieces. We’re talking one-inch pieces. It swells up way more than you think it will!

I hope this veggie lasagna soup becomes a staple for your family like it has mine! It’s such a fun spin on soup – it satisfies that lasagna craving while staying relatively light and nutrient-filled.

More Veggie-Packed Soup Recipes

• Vegetable Barley Soup
• Rustic Winter Vegetable Chowder
• Vegetarian Minestrone
• Squash-Lover’s Minestrone

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Veggie Lasagna Soup Recipe

Light yet hearty, this vegetable lasagna soup is full of garden vegetables along with white beans and lasagna noodles, all topped with a glorious dollop of cheesy goodness. Bonus: It comes together quickly, in just over 30 minutes!

Keyword garden vegetable lasagna soup, lasagna soup, vegetarian lasagna soup, veggie lasagna soup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 390kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

For the soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion diced, about 1 cup
• 2 medium carrots diced, about 1 cup
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 3 medium garlic cloves minced
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 15 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can
• 15 ounces small white beans aka navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
• 1 small zucchini diced, about 1 cup
• 4 ounces lasagna pasta about a quarter of a box, broken into approx. 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon sugar optional, to cut acidity
• 2 cups baby spinach lightly chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped + more for garnish

For the cheese topping:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Set a large pot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion, carrots, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion and carrots are tender but not browned, about 8 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for another minute.
• Add the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, beans, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, and add the zucchini and pasta. Reduce to a simmer. Stir and continue to simmer until the pasta is cooked through, 15-20 minutes, continuing to stir occasionally to help keep the pasta from sticking together.
• While the soup simmers, make the cheese topping. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• Add the spinach and parsley to the soup, then taste it and, if it's too acidic for your tastes, add the sugar. I almost always add sugar (or honey) personally to mellow out any acidity from the tomatoes, but I wanted to make this ingredient optional in case you don't want to use the added sugar or your particular canned tomatoes are not too acidic.
• Taste again and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Scoop lasagna soup into bowls and top with a generous spoonful of the cheese topping. Sprinkle with more parsley if desired, and serve.

Notes

Vegan/dairy-free option:

The soup itself is already dairy-free and vegan – it’s just the cheesy topping you’ll need to address. Mix almond ricotta (you can find it in stores, or even make your own vegan ricotta) with vegan mozzarella shreds and a couple of teaspoons of nutritional yeast.

Gluten-free option:

Swap the pasta for your favorite GF pasta. It doesn’t have to be lasagna noodles; any medium shape will be great (rotini is excellent in this soup!

Meat option:

If you have a meat-eater in the house, you can mix some cooked and drained ground beef or ground crumbled sausage to the carnivorous portions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 849mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 5272IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 4mg

The post Veggie Lasagna Soup Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

What if I told you that you could make an easy, cheesy lazy lasagna recipe with raw lasagna pasta and no layering? One in which you literally mixed the cheese, sauce, and broken raw pasta together in a big bowl and dumped it in a casserole dish and baked it and out came lasagna? Well, hold on to your horses, because that’s exactly what I’m saying.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love Laziest Lazy Lasagna
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make the Laziest Lasagna Recipe Ever
• Tips for Success
• More Easy Pasta Recipes

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

I know a lot of lazy lasagna recipes call for ravioli, and I love that idea! But I wanted to take it one step further. If I was going to make a lazy lasagna, I didn’t want to have to do any layering. (Although, note that I actually did go there with these individual lazy ravioli lasagnas, a long long time ago! I still love this one for one dish two ways dinners.)

I’m a huge fan of Smitten Kitchen’s pasta and squash bake. The method feels so weird – you literally mix everything together in a giant bowl, raw pasta and all, then bake it in a spring form pan – but the result is amazing! And it’s so, so easy.

So, over the years, I’ve been slowly developing a lazy lasagna recipe that uses that method, but the result is lasagna. Okay, caveat – something resembling lasagna, because obviously this isn’t a true, traditional lasagna, even though it tastes like it.

I continued to simplify the recipe until I finally settled on this one, an extra lazy lasagna situation that uses jarred sauce and need only be baked in a 9×13 pan, no springform necessary.

I’m not sure I’ve ever been so proud to be so lazy!

Why You’ll Love Laziest Lazy Lasagna

It tastes like a real cheesy vegetarian lasagna, but it comes together with a fraction of the effort. What’s not to love?!

Don’t get me wrong – I firmly believe there is absolutely a time and a place for real lasagna. My usual vegetarian lasagna recipe is made more traditionally, with an epic homemade Italian tomato sauce that completely seals the deal. (Though it is made without having to boil the pasta first, which is awesome!)

But sometimes, you just need a fast and easy recipe. Granted, this one does take some time in the oven, so you’ll want to plan for that, but the magic is in the fact that this lazy lasagna recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep, leaving you free for everything else you have to do. And that is why is truly is the laziest lazy lasagna recipe ever!

Ingredients

• Marinara sauce/spaghetti sauce – Grab your favorite jar from the store, though if you really want a homemade sauce, I have this Italian tomato sauce recipe that’s really, really yummy, and sometimes I’ll use that if I have it in the freezer.
• Water – Needed to help cook the pasta and make the lasagna the saucy wonder we all know and love when we think of lasagna.
• Mozzarella cheese – I like to go with full-fat (low-moisture) mozzarella, but part-skim works well too.
• Parmesan cheese – Grate it yourself or grab it already shredded at the store.
• Ricotta cheese – One tub.
• Lasagna noodles – You’ll need one box of lasagna pasta, broken into 3- to 4-inch pieces.
• Salt & pepper – For flavor, of course!
• Olive oil – This is for drizzling over the top of the lasagna during the final baking period when you bake it uncovered. It adds a nice bit of flavor, too. It’s not strictly required, but this is how I like to make it.
• Parsley – Optional, but I like the pretty green it adds when sprinkled over the top of the lasagna. You could swap in ribbons of basil, too, or in place of the parsley.

Adaptations/Variations

• Add some greens. Throw in a few handfuls of baby spinach for some added nutrition.
• Make it meaty. Stir some cooked ground beef or ground sausage in with the sauce and cheese for a meaty lasagna.

How to Make the Laziest Lasagna Recipe Ever

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Have a 9″x13″ baking dish ready. You can spray it with non-stick spray for easier clean-up, if you like.

To a large bowl, add the marinara sauce, water, 2 cups of the mozzarella, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan, ricotta, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Break the pasta in 3 to 4-inch pieces directly into the bowl. Grab a big wooden spoon or sturdy spatula, and stir it until all of the pasta pieces are coated.

Pour the pasta and sauce into your 9×13 baking dish and spread it out a bit so it’s even. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the top.

Cover the baking dish tightly and bake for an hour. Remove the foil, drizzle with olive oil, and bake uncovered for 15 more minutes to help get the top a bit more golden and bubbly.

Drop some minced parsley over the top if desired and serve!

Tips for Success

• Have faith in the process. I know it’s weird to add water to lasagna. I know it’s weird to break raw pasta into a bowl of sauce and cheeses. Just go with it! It’s worth it!
• Leftovers can be a bit dry. Splash it with water or warm with a bit of extra pasta sauce to help remedy this, or and/or warm it with some extra cheese.
• Buy pre-shredded cheese to make it even easier. Grab pre-shredded mozzarella and parm for the easiest prep ever!

I hope you adore this lazy lasagna recipe as much as I do! It’s one of those super easy shortcut recipes that makes dinner easy yet is still delicious. Homemade is amazing, but sometimes it’s a relief to turn to a good store-bought jar of sauce when it helps get the job done!

More Easy Pasta Recipes

• Baked Boursin Pasta
• Butternut Squash Pasta Bake
• Pasta e Fagioli
• 10 Quick & Easy Pasta Sauces

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The Laziest Lazy Lasagna Recipe Ever

With a short list of ingredients and only 5 minutes prep (for real!) this lazy lasagna recipe uses lasagna noodles, sauce, and cheeses, literally just mixed into a bowl and dumped into your baking dish. The result is a delicious, crowd-pleasing, truly lazy lasagna!

Course entree, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword lazy lasagna, vegetarian lazy lasagna

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 19 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 500kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 24 ounces marinara sauce 1 jar [3 cups]; or your favorite spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup water
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided about 12 ounces
• 1 cup finely grated parmesan, divided about 4 ounces
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese 1 tub; 2 cups
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 16 ounces lasagna noodles 1 box; broken into approximately 3-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh minced parsley if desired, for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray if desired.
• To a large bowl, add the marinara sauce, one cup water (I like to swish the water in the marinara sauce jar to get the last bits out), 2 cups of the mozzarella, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan, ricotta, salt, and pepper. Stir well until completely combined.
• Break the lasagna noodles right into the bowl and stir with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula until the pasta is completely coated.
• Pour the mixture into a 9×13 pan, spreading into a relatively even layer (but it doesn't have to be perfect). Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan evenly over the top.
• Cover tightly with foil and bake for one hour, then remove the foil and drizzle the top with the olive oil. Bake for 15 more minutes, until the cheese is bubbly on top and golden in spots.
• Top with chopped parsley, if desired, and cut into squares to serve.

Notes

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. As with many pasta leftovers, this lazy lasagna can be a bit dry when reheating it, because the pasta soaks in any residual moisture as it sits. When reheating, add a tablespoon or two of water to help it become saucy again. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 662mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 635IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 491mg | Iron: 1mg

The post The Laziest Lazy Lasagna Recipe Ever appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

We’ve got chickpeas, broccoli, and pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with cheddar and baked until melty and bubbling. Vegetarians don’t have to miss out on the casserole comfort when we have this cheesy, creamy chickpeas with pasta recipe!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Why You’ll Love This Chickpeas with Pasta Recipe
• Ingredients
• Adaptations/Variations
• How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole
• Tips for Success
• More Chickpea Comfort Food Recipes
• Get Good Recipe Karma

• Jump to the Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Comments & Reviews

The Story Behind the Recipe

Fall is just about here, and with it, I’m craving all the comfort food. I’m also craving easy dinner recipes that have the bonus of easy leftovers for lunches or another dinner later on in the week. I’m also craving pasta and creamy broccoli cheddar.

Basically, this Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole is the result of all of my cravings.

I wanted to riff on tuna noodle casserole, but make it vegetarian, hence the chickpeas … but then I was really liking the idea of adding a cheesy component, and broccoli seemed like a natural addition.

I wrote down a recipe I thought would work and gave it a try, fully expecting to have to tweak it before the recipe hit prime time. It was perfect the first time. I LOVE it when that happens!

Why You’ll Love This Chickpeas with Pasta Recipe

It’s easy to make with homemade, wholesome ingredients. It starts with onion and garlic and some seasonings, then we add flour to make a roux. From there, we add veggie broth, milk, and cheese, creating a full-of-flavor, luxuriously creamy sauce. Stir in the pasta and broccoli and pour it into a casserole dish. Top with cheese, bake until bubbly, dig in!

All you need is a simple salad with a light vinaigrette alongside, or even just a hunk of bread, considering your casserole has some veggies already!

Ingredients

• Pasta – I love using curly pasta (rotini shape) in my chickpea pasta casserole. For an added boost of protein and in keeping with the theme, I like to opt for chickpea pasta, but plain ol’ pasta will do.
• Broccoli – You’ll want it blanched so that it’s cooked just right when you serve your casserole. It’s a pain to cook it separately, so I like to throw the broccoli in with the pasta in the last couple of minutes of cooking. Easy peasy way to accomplish blanched broccoli!
• Butter – I like to use unsalted in order to better control the overall salt levels. You can use half and half olive oil and butter instead, if you want to add a dose of healthy fats.
• Flour – To thicken the sauce for a luxuriously creamy result.
• Thyme, dried mustard, and smoked paprika – These herbs/seasonings add some nice flavor notes and highlight the cheesy flavor.
• Onion & garlic – For a nice backbone of flavor.
• Veggie broth – Grab some low-sodium vegetable broth at the store, or save your scraps and make vegetable broth in your Crock Pot!
• Milk – You can use dairy milk or your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk. I like to use full-fat oat milk in this one just because it’s super creamy and it’s what I usually have on hand.
• Chickpeas – One can (about 1 1/2 cups), drained and rinsed.
• Cheddar cheese – I like to use sharp cheddar for a nice cheesy boost of flavor.
• Salt & pepper

Adaptations/Variations

• Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole: Substitute vegan butter, vegan milk, and vegan cheddar, or you can even leave out the cheese entirely. It will still have excellent flavor!
• Vegan Chickpea Noodle Casserole: Leave out the cheese and top with breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs. You can even sauté some celery and red bell pepper and/or add some cauliflower florets with the broccoli to increase the veggie factor.
• Gluten-Free Chickpea Noodle Casserole: Use chickpea pasta or swap in brown rice pasta or another gluten-free pasta.

How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole

First, you’ll want to cook the pasta, but only to al dente (it will cook the rest of the way in the oven). In the last couple of minutes of cooking the pasta, toss in the broccoli so it’ll blanch. Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander and set aside.

Next, you’ll make the creamy sauce. Just sauté the onion, add the flour and seasonings and cook, stirring frequently, then add the garlic.

Slowly pour in the broth and milk, stirring frequently, until thick and rich.

Now, you’ll toss in the cooked pasta and broccoli as well as the chickpeas and some of the cheddar. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.

Scoop the mix evenly into the baking dish and top with the rest of the cheese.

Bake until bubbly comfort food casserole perfection and devour!

Tips for Success

• Cook the pasta JUST until al dente. Otherwise, the end result might have mushy, overcooked pasta.
• Cook the flour for the full three minutes. This is important to prevent any raw flour taste.

More Chickpea Comfort Food Recipes

• BBQ Chickpea Sloppy Joes
• Slow Cooker Pumpkin, Chickpea, & Red Lentil Curry
• Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup (with chickpeas)
• Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup
• Chickpea & Rice Soup
• Chickpea Tomato Curry
• Vegetarian Wellington
• Vegetarian White Bean Chili

Get Good Recipe Karma

If you love this recipe (or even if you don’t!) please, please, please come back and leave a rating! It’s so helpful for me to make sure this chickpea casserole recipe is just right – and it’s super beneficial for other readers, too.

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Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole Recipe

Creamy, cheesy, full-of-flavor and super satisfying! This cozy chickpea casserole hits all the right notes and makes the perfect comfort-food meal.

Keyword broccoli cheddar chickpea noodle casserole, chickpea casserole, chickpea pasta, chickpeas with pasta recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 493kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 8 ounces rotini pasta I like to use chickpea rotini pasta to increase the protein
• 4 cups broccoli florets 1/2-inch to 1-inch in size
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 medium cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk I use full-fat unsweetened oat milk but 2% or whole milk work too
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more to taste
• 15 ounces chickpeas 1 can, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese about 6 ounces; shredded; divided

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and have an 8"x8" baking dish ready.
• Cook the pasta JUST TO AL DENTE, according to package directions. When the pasta has about 2 minutes left to cook, add the broccoli to the still-cooking pasta. Drain the pasta and broccoli and set it aside.
• Set a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter in the pot, then add the onions. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, thyme, dry mustard, and smoked paprika and cook, stirring continuously for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, whisking continuously. Add the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
• Stir in the cooked pasta and broccoli, the drained can of chickpeas, and 2 cups of the cheese. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Pour the mixture into your baking dish and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar, spreading it evenly over the top.
• Bake until bubbly and the cheese is melted, 20-25 minutes. Serve.

Notes

Storage/reheating notes:

Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm leftovers in the microwave or gently over the stovetop (you can add a splash of water or broth if needed).

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 865mg | Potassium: 412mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1193IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 414mg | Iron: 5mg

The post Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole Recipe appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.