Baked Pasta with Spring Veggies

🧂 Ingredients

• nonstick cooking spray ($0.01)
• 8 oz. penne pasta (uncooked, $0.49*)
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil ($0.04)
• ½ onion (small diced, (155g, 1 cup) $0.30)
• 1 zucchini (half moons, (190g, 2 cups) $0.54)
• ½ bunch asparagus (trimmed & cut 1-inch (about 10 stalks, 160g) $1.76)
• 1 tsp salt ($0.04)
• ½ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.08)
• 2 Tbsp butter ($0.23)
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (35g, $0.04)
• 1 cup milk ($0.22)
• 1 cup vegetable broth ($0.13**)
• 1 tsp garlic powder ($0.04)
• ½ tsp dried basil ($0.04)
• ½ tsp dried oregano ($0.01)
• ⅓ cup frozen spinach (thawed and pressed, (80g) $0.30***)
• 4 oz. cream cheese (cubed, $0.74)
• 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese (shredded, (150g) $1.27****)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Gather and prepare all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x10” casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. 2

   Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook for about 10 minutes, or just until tender. Drain and cool the pasta in a colander, then set it aside for later.

3. 3

   While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, onions, zucchini, asparagus, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. 4

   Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and melt the butter. Once melted, add the flour and cook for 1 minute.

5. 5

   Add the milk and cook until the liquid has thickened, about 1-2 minutes.

6. 6

   Then add vegetable broth, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.

7. 7

   Add the spinach and cream cheese and stir until the cheese is melted, for about 2 minutes.

8. 8

   Add the pasta to the skillet and carefully mix until combined. (If your skillet is too small, place everything in a large bowl to combine.)

9. 9

   Transfer the mixture into the 9x10” casserole dish and spread evenly.

10. 10

    Top evenly with the mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!