Veggies n Pasta Bake

With the very first snow showers of the year, Seattle looks gorgeous all over covered up in a white blanket. And such cozy weather only adds to the thanksgiving festivity. Well for this  holiday we decided to make one simple dish which offers comfort and warmth in every bite. So here's wishing a very Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving to all our dear friends out there.

Prep time: 45 mins

Ingredients

Pasta: 1 cup

Veggies (your choice): 3/4 cup 
* We used the following vegetables

Carrots (cubed)

Green beans (cut)

Cauliflower (florets)

Broccoli (florets)

Green and red peppers (cubed)

Onions (cubed)

Corn niblets

Snow peas

Garlic: 1 pod

Marinara sauce: 1/3 cup
* We used the tomato,garlic and basil marinara sauce.

Tomato ketchup: 2 teaspoons

White sauce

Butter/Olive oil : 2 tablespoons

All purpose flour: 1 1/2 tablespoons

Milk: 1/3 cup

Grated Parmesan cheese: 1 tablespoon

Grated Mozzarella cheese: 3 tablespoons + 2  tablespoons

Salt & Pepper to taste

* You could also include boiled and cubed chicken pieces to this for all those who cant be all vegetarian.

Heat some oil in pan. Saute the chopped garlic and cubed onions. Add all the veggies and saute well. Add a little bit of salt and pepper. When the veggies are almost cooked, turn off the heat. Add the marinara sauce and toss all the veggies. Add the tomato ketchup and mix.

Meanwhile, boil the pasta with a little salt in a large pot of water. Drizzle some oil into the pasta while boiling so that it doesn't stick to each other. Once cooked, drain it off it and rinse in cold water and keep aside. 

To make the white sauce, heat the butter/olive oil in pan. Add the all purpose flour and stir well. When the raw smells goes, add milk and continuously stir. It will start to thicken. Turn off the heat. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and 3 tablespoons of the mozzarella cheese and mix well. Check for salt and pepper.

Now in a glass dish, spread out the veggies in the marinara sauce. Pour the white sauce you just made over it. Give a gentle mix. Add the remaining grated mozzarella on the top and bake in the oven for 10- 15 mins at 350 F  till the top cheese melts.

Serve warm. Garlic bread can be added on as a great side.