Description
A comforting Minestrone Casserole packed with flavors from fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups small shell pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced celery
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 ½–2 cups sliced zucchini
- 1 cup chopped fresh green beans
- 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add in the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion turns translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and zucchini; continue cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the green beans, kidney beans, navy beans, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Stir well to combine everything.
- Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the reserved pasta and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, browned, and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: casserole, vegetarian, comfort food, minestrone, pasta