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Gluten-Free Creamy Pasta Primavera Bake with a golden-brown crust of melted mozzarella cheese on top of a creamy pasta primavera bake, speckled with colorful vegetables like bell peppers, julienned carrots, zucchini, green onions, olives, and halved cherry tomatoes. Sounds good? This Italian dish is insanely delicious!
The Aroma, Herbs and Cheese
The aroma of garlic and herbs like thyme and basil from this creamy Italian pasta dish is hard to ignore. A sprinkle of grated cheese adds a final touch of savory goey cheese goodness. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious and nutritious to eat!
Making Gluten-Free Creamy Pasta Primavera Bake
This Italian dish is one of our easier gluten-free creamy pasta recipes. Here are the easy steps.
Cook your favorite short cut pasta as per package directions and set aside.
The veggies are cut thinly and they cook quickly, making this hearty pasta meal ready in no time.
First, briefly saute some of the vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, green onions, and garlic. You don’t want them to be fully cooked because they continue cooking in the oven.
Make the creamy sauce that melds everything together. The skillet where the veggies were cooked has a leftover flavor which is why the cream sauce is cooked in the same skillet.
Once the sauce is ready which takes about 3 minutes, stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cubed zucchini. And then, the pasta, olives, and partially cooked veggies.
At this point, you can use the same skillet to bake the pasta in or transfer the pasta to a pretty casserole dish, which is what I did. Sprinkle the top with shredded cheese and bake until bubbly. Enjoy!
Tips And Substitutions
With these tips and substitutions, you can customize your creamy pasta primavera bake.
Choose Your Pasta: While penne is commonly used, you can use any short-cut pasta shape you prefer, such as farfalle, fusilli, or rigatoni.
Don’t Overcook Vegetables: To maintain their texture and vibrant color, avoid overcooking the vegetables. They should be tender-crisp before baking
Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. You can add more herbs like oregano, marjoram, parsley, or rosemary for extra flavor.
Creamy Sauce Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out by adding a splash of pasta pasta water, vegetable, or mushroom broth.
Fresh Herbs: Substitute dried herbs with fresh ones for a brighter flavor. Simply use about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried ones.
Customize with Proteins: Add cooked chicken, ham, shrimp, or tofu to make it a heartier meal.
Cheese: Swap Mozzarella cheese with different cheeses like Fontina, Gruyere, Cheddar, or smoked Gouda
Vegetables: Feel free to substitute or add different vegetables based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Mushrooms, asparagus, butternut squash, or peas would all be great additions.
Low-Fat: Use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream, and light cream cheese, for a lighter version of the dish, though the sauce may not be as rich.
To make creamy pasta primavera bake, having these essential pieces of equipment on hand will make it easier to make.
Large Pot: For cooking the pasta. Ensure it’s big enough to hold the pasta and water comfortably.
Large Oven-Proof Skillet or Saute Pan: For sautéing the vegetables, making the creamy sauce, and baking.
9 x 13-inch Baking Dish: Only if you are not using the skillet for baking
Storing and Reheating
Storing and reheating creamy pasta primavera bake can help you enjoy it for multiple meals.
Storing:
Refrigeration: Allow any leftovers to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container or wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezing: If you want to freeze the pasta bake, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container. Label with the date and store in the freezer for 2-3 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If reheating from the refrigerator, you can place the pasta bake directly into the oven, covered with aluminum foil, for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. If reheating from frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat covered with aluminum foil for 30-40 minutes or until heated through.
Microwave: If you’re in a hurry, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Transfer the desired amount to a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap (vented to allow steam to escape), and microwave on high in 1-minute intervals until heated through, stirring in between intervals to ensure even heating.
Review
This gluten-free creamy pasta primavera bake is a versatile Italian dish that combines the comfort of creamy pasta with the freshness of seasonal vegetables. With its creamy sauce, vibrant veggies, and cheesy topping, it’s a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. By following this recipe and incorporating the suggested tips and substitutions, you can create a delicious pasta bake that suits your taste preferences and dietary needs.
More Gluten-Free Italian Recipes To Explore
Thank you for visiting,
Kristina
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