Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables

By

Everyday Italian--Food Network

Ingredients

  • 2 red bell peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips
  • 2 zucchinni, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 summer squash, quartered lenthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cremini mushrooms, halved
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 tbsp dried italian herb mix or herbs de Provence
  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
  • 2 cup fontina cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup smoked mozzarrella, grated
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus 1/3 cup for topping
  • 2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash,mushroons, and onions with olive oil. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Grain in a colander. In a large bowl, toss teh drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined. Pour the pasta into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.