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I can hardly believe the holidays are right around the corner! My brain is all like “whaaaa?!”. But it’s also excited! I absolutely love this time of year (!!!), so I’m really trying to soak it all in. There are so many fabulous aspects of this season to drink up; What’s your favorite part?
Despite my undying love for all things celebratory, I think the one thing we can all agree on is that when it comes to the holidays, things can get BANANAS! Bananas busy, that is. It’s half the fun! But it’s also good to have a game plan to keep ones self sane and all 😉
My game plan is make ahead meals; always and forever! And this suuuuuper cheesy kale and roasted red pepper pasta bake is my go-to dinner gem and jam. It’s hearty, full of veggies and cheese, and truly just good old fashioned comfort food. It also makes a TON! Which is great if you have a big family to feed. Or if you’re a lazy couple who likes to eat leftover pasta with cheap wine 3 nights in a row (hand raised!).
Happy Thursday, friends! We’re almost at the weekend. Plans!?
Super Cheesy Kale and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake – Baker by Nature
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
1 pound bow tie pasta, cooked al dente
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium-sized yellow onion, diced
1 large roasted red pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 pound kale, ribs discarded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce, I used my classic marinara
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Parmesan cheese for sprinkling, optional
Instructions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside. Don’t over cook pasta or your final result will be soggy noodles.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Add onions, peppers, and kale, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the kale has softened and the onions have lightened in color. Add garlic and crushed red pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce, then remove pan from heat.
Preheat ovens broiler.
Stir cooked noodles into the sauce mixture, then pour mixture into a very large, deep, baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese over the top of the noodle mixture, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Place baking dish in the oven on the middle rack, and broil for 5-6 minutes, or until the lid of cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Spoon pasta mixture onto plates, sprinkle with parsley and parmesan, and serve once!
Omg, i’m completely drooling. I’m such a carb-o-holic that this is so right up my alley!!
Soooo much cheeeeeeese. Gimme. This is my kind of comfort food!
Ohhh my heavens! That sauce… the cheeeese! I truly love a good pasta bake 🙂
DUDE.
Oh goodness, kale and roasted red pepper?! Goodness lady, I’ll take it!
This looks so comforting and so satisfying! I would love to just have a large bowl of this right now.
I love a good, cheesy pasta bake, especially one that takes care of dinners for a while! Looks super tasty!!
I haven’t been to NYC on Christmas Day, but I bet it’s magical. Almost as magical as this pasta.
I thinky you’re very overdue for an NYC trip 😉 *hint hint!
Cheese, carbs, + tons of leftovers = IN!
Yum yum. Cheesy, saucy, carby with a little bit of kale thrown in – sounds good to me!
Oh my gosh, this pasta. So amazing. I can’t get over it.
Pinned!
I love a good cheesy bake, but especially when it can use our garden veggies too!
Stunning. Now that’s my kind of carb loading!
Ohmahgarsh! Girl, I need to make this soon…a pasta dish like this one is sure to cure all the holiday blues and stresses. It would be worth breaking out in hives for (dairy allergy) with all that cheeeeeeez! Where’s my Benadryl? Thanks for sharing, m’lady. Pinning!
I wish I had this for dinner tonight, this looks like the perfect weeknight meal. Love all the peppers and cheesy goodness!
This is my type of dish in every way, shape and form!!!
You had me at super cheesy.
Super cheesy!! Oh yes, oh yes!! This is amazing, Ashley! Today is apparently all about the cheese!
I definitely have a huge head of kale AND a huge container of left over ricotta sitting in my fridge, just begging to be used. I know what I am making!
Kale, roasted peppers and cheese? Count me in! This is my kind of comfort food – looks amazing Ashley!
I love a good pasta bake, this looks so comforting!
we are so the couple who LIVES on leftovers. i’d go for a bowl of this pasta asap 🙂
Pasta bake, be my dinner tomorrow, please!
Omg! Made this tonight and it’s soo yummy! Definitely a favourite with us!
I made this tonight too and it’s definitely a keeper. It makes a LOT but I have a feeling it will re-heat nicely. Thanks for the recipe!!
This pasta looks totally delicious and so full of flavour – definitely one I’m going to make!
Ashley! This looks unbelievable. Saving it to try sometime. I love anything cheesy, red pepper-y, and kale-y. =)
I have a feeling I’m going to be eating this A LOT this winter. Pinned!
I have been looking for more ways to add kale to my diet, so super excited to find this recipe and try it this week. Thanks for sharing!
Yay! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Thanks for the recipe. I’ve made it twice and it’s turned out great. And it’s so easy and fast. I had never cooked with kale before, which is pretty shameful for a vegetarian. 🙂
Great article post.Really thank you! Fantastic. bekdfeedgbaf
oh my gawd, Ashley.. this looks soooo good. This is my kinda comfort food right here. love!!
Wow what delicious dishes! I’m going to make them all