Enjoy this High Protein Veggie Pasta Bake—a comforting, cheesy, and protein-packed meal that's perfect for meal prep. Made with hearty lentils, tender vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful sauce, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Ideal for busy weeks or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
🌽 1 tablespoon oil
🌶️ 1 red bell pepper, diced
🧅 1/4 red onion, diced
🫑 1 green bell pepper, diced
🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
🌶️ 1-2 jalapeños, sliced or diced
🌿 1 tablespoon Mexican seasoning
🍃 1 tablespoon Italian mixed herbs
🫘 1 cup cooked lentils
🍅 1 can diced tomatoes
🍅 2 tablespoons tomato paste
🍃 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
🍝 3 cups cooked pasta e.g., cavatappi or elbow macaroni
🧀 1/2 cup cream cheese
🧀 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
🍃 Fresh parsley, for garnish
🌶️ Sliced jalapeños, for garnish
Instructions
1- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking.
2- Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced red pepper, red onion, green pepper, minced garlic, and sliced jalapeños.
3- Season the Veggies:
- Sprinkle the vegetables with Mexican seasoning and Italian mixed herbs.
- Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables become tender.
4- Create the Sauce Base:
- Add the cooked lentils, canned diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the pan.
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
5- Simmer:
- Mix well and lower the heat.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3-5 minutes to blend the flavors.
6- Combine with Pasta:
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan along with cream cheese.
- Mix thoroughly until the cream cheese melts and coats the pasta, creating a creamy sauce.
7- Transfer to Baking Tray:
- Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a baking tray.
- Spread it evenly.
8- Top with Cheese:
- Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
9- Bake:
- Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and crispy.
10- Garnish & Serve:
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and additional sliced jalapeños. Serve warm.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 419 per serving
Proteins: 20g per serving
Fats: 20g per serving
Carbohydrates: 42g per serving
Equipment: Large pan, baking tray, spoon, knife, cutting board
Cooking Tips:
- For extra protein, consider adding cubed tofu or tempeh.
- The dish can be portioned for meal prep and stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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