Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pasta

Whether you love pasta and Italian-style food, are trying to eat healthier, or are trying to clear out your freezer/fridge/cabinets, this is always a classic that families (and kids!) just LOVE.

I made this a couple of weeks ago for a friend who was laid up for a few days and he went crazy over it! I titled it "3 cheese veggie pasta"... when I talked to him a few days after it was apparently gone, he said he was so impressed by the dish! He didn't expect there to be good size chunks of veggies, but was so pleased to see that there was. Also reported was that this was a good dish to go with a side of anything.

To make this, any and all items are optional and not limited to! You can add any kind of vegetables or Italian-style cheeses to this and it will be amazing. You can keep it meatless for Lent (or just a vegetarian style meal) or you can add chicken, turkey, beef(ground or steak), etc. to it for extra protein.

3 Cheese Veggie Pasta

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 box of penne pasta (You can use your favorite pasta. You also don't necessarily need an entire box; you can mix and match or just use a half a box-whatever you have on hand.)
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce (Can substitute with plain tomato sauce. If using plain sauce, add about 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning to give it some extra flavo.r)
• 1/2 bag frozen spinach (May substitute with fresh spinach.)
• 2 C frozen broccoli (May substitute with fresh broccoli.)
• 1 can diced tomatoes, drained (Can also use fresh.)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (May use any kind of onion.)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (Can substitute jarred or use a tablespoon of dried granulated or dried minced garlic.)
• 1/4 C Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 C Ricotta Cheese (use from leftovers-use what you have on hand)
• 1/2 C Mozzarella Cheese, plus more for garnish

**You can add cannelini (white) beans, chicken or any other kind of meat for added protein.

**Other veggies you might add: green beans, carrots, cauliflower, shelled edamame, zucchini, summer squash, butternut squash, peas, chopped asparagus.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cook your pasta according to package directions. Heat sauce in a medium sauce pan. Heat all vegetables thoroughly, then mix in with sauce. Toss with cooked pasta, then mix in cheese. Put into a large baking dish. Garnish the top of the pasta with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, then put under a high broiler for about 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden brown. Enjoy with a crusty baguette, side of salad, cup of soup, or just by itself! 

Read about Colleen Sylvester's favorite foods at My Foodie Favorites.