• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Herbivore Cucina

  • Recipe Index
  • Indian
  • Instant Pot
  • Air-Fryer
  • International
  • Cakes & Bakes
  • More..
    • Featured
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Instant Pot
  • LTK Shop
    • Amazon Store
  • Contact
  • Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Recipe Index
    • Instant Pot
    • LTK Shop
      • Amazon Store
    • Contact
  • Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Healthy

    Published: Jun 10, 2017 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Healthy Vegetable Pasta Casserole

    Blogging Marathon #77 Week 2 Day 1

    Theme: Weekday Lunch Recipes

    Dish: Healthy Vegetable Pasta Casserole 


    Can pasta be made 'healthy' and 'yummy' at once? If you do not believe me, you need this recipe. It has everything that is good for you! 


    Pasta and vegetables in one dish is something I love. The yummy taste of pasta, colorful vegetables and oregano come together so well! I am really partial towards any kind of white sauce that is loaded with cheese. But given how heavy they are, I tend to avoid them.


    For the longest time I have only made pasta sauce using all purpose flour and regretting soon after. Lately I almost switched to pesto pastas in restaurants. I have had red sauce pastas that are just canned tomatoes mixed with oregano! Since then I tend to avoid all things 'Marinara'!


    A few days ago I was craving a bowl of pasta, especially the white one. But I did not want to pile on calories. So I made this SKINNY version of pasta. 




    How is it 'Healthier'?


    This dish has vegetables, wheat pasta, wheat flour based sauce and just a sprinkle of cheese. When Valli put up the theme of 'Healthy' Lunch recipes for this Blogging Marathon, I had to shoot the pasta I made! 


    The taste of the sauce is not very different from the APF version. It does not have cheese and I used 2% milk. Yet it is super delicious. And yes, I have not been a fan of Wheat pasta ever. I always felt it had a weird taste. Now I get them and put a TON of vegetables to mask the taste of pasta! That way it becomes healthy and amazing. 




    Perfect Lunch Recipe


    This recipe is perfect for weekday lunch at home or to be packed. Better still, it can be made a day before and packed for lunch. Plus, the leftover freezes well. I sometimes make a big batch and we enjoy it for two meals. The best accompaniment with this bake is Garlic Breadsticks or Roasted Tomato soup. 

    This recipe is also good for parties and as a side for BBQ evenings. I like it because it is light, easy to make and delicious. So if you also have a non lover of wheat pasta, you have to try this version. It can instantly change them to lovers of 'healthy pasta' and agree that pastas can be indeed made healthy! 




    Variations



    If you still want to have the traditional version, just change the following: Wheat pasta for regular pasta, olive oil for butter, wheat flour for all purpose flour and finally 2% milk for whole milk and a drizzle of cream. Plus, increase the amount of cheese to make it sinful! 



    I added the vegetables I had in my refrigerator. Add the vegetables as per your taste. Plus, add some paneer or tofu if you like. It makes the paste even more tasty. Baking the pasta is optional. You can just mix it all on the stove and serve directly from there! 


    Ingredients


    Wheat Pasta 1 cup (I used Macaroni)

    Mixed Vegetables (Baby Corn, Green Peas, Carrots, Broccoli, Onion, Peppers)

    Garlic 1-2 cloves, minced

    Wheat Flour 2 tbsp

    Olive Oil 1 tbsp

    Milk ¾ cup

    Oregano 1 tsp

    Salt and Pepper

    Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 2 tbsp


    Method


    Heat 3 cups water in a pan with ½ teaspoon salt. Once it comes to a boil, add the pasta. Boil as per the package instruction. When they are just done, add chopped baby corn peas and broccoli florets. 


    In a minute after adding the vegetables, turn down the flame and drain the pasta and vegetables. Set aside. 


    In a saucepan heat oil and add garlic. Sauté till the raw flavor vanishes. Then add onions and peppers. Sauté till they cook.


    Next add the flour, and cook till the flour begins to brown. Add the milk, ½ teaspoon salt, oregano, ½ teaspoon pepper and mix well. Cook till the sauce thickens. 


    Add the pasta and vegetables, mix well and turn down the flame. Transfer to an oven-proof bowl. Sprinkle the cheese and bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 F/ 180 C. 


    Remove and serve with a side of toasted bread or soup. 




    BMLogo 


    Check out the Blogging Marathon page to see what the other Blogging Marathoners are doing for this BM.

    « Kiwi Coconut Popsicles + Kiwi Lemonade
    One Pot Pineapple Fried Quinoa »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gayathri Kumar says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Such a healthy hearty meal. Looks so colourful with all those veggies in it..

      Reply
    2. Kalyani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Love the baking dish and the pasta too 🙂 gives me an idea on what to make for the weekend lunch next week for the kids ! so filling colourful and healthy too 🙂

      Reply
    3. Jyoti Babel says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      White sauce pasta is a hit at my home too.. Love the way you have made it healthy.. Recently I too have switched to Borges Whole Wheat Pasta and somehow I like its taste..

      Reply
    4. Priya Suresh says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Thats a fantastic casserole, how pretty and filling its looks. Definitely a satisfying meal.

      Reply
    5. Preeti says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      I love pasta.. its look delicious and creamy.

      Reply
    6. Srivalli says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Smruti, thats utter kill with your lovely pictures!..I want to dig in right now please!..the pictures are super sinful and not to mention I love the combination!..whether this is healthy or not, I want it right now..:)

      Reply
    7. Srividhya says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Adding wheat flour is a great idea. Love this skinny version Smruti. Awesome.

      Reply
    8. Jayashree says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      That looks so colorful and inviting.

      Reply
    9. Sharmila kingsly says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Simply healthy and delicious... Love the fact it is loaded with veggies and Wheat flour 🙂

      Reply
    10. Mayuri Patel says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      yummy lunch time treat and love the sauce made with wheat flour instead of APF.

      Reply
    11. Chef Mireille says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      anything with cheese makes me happy - looks delicious

      Reply
    12. Archana says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      Wow what a picture love them. In fact I have been drooling over the pics and realise that the only thing that has registered in my head is whole wheat pasta and sauce from whole wheat. I am wondering how you get the amazing colour of broccoli. Will come back after dinner to re read the recipe.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    About Me

    Smruti headshot

    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

    Learn more about me →

    Holi Recipes

    • Thandai Masala Recipe | Thandai Powder
    • Rose Shrikhand Popsicles
    • Rose Thandai
    • Thandai Ice Cream
    • Baked Thandai Gujiya
    • Thandai | Spiced Milk Drink

    Popular Recipes

    • Air Fryer Noodles
    • Papdi Chaat Dip
    • Rose Boba (Bubble) Tea
    • Air Fryer Handvo
    • Instant Rose Peda
    • Instant Pot Tom Yum Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Herbivorecucina.com