Pasta Gratinata con Verdure {Pasta au Gratin w/Vegetables}
Casseroles. Some people love them, some not so much! Me, I fall into the first category. Perhaps it’s because (at least for me) it’s a one dish meal! I like the idea of only having one dish to clean up! I’ll let you in on a little secret, dishes and I don’t see eye to eye. Matter of fact, I can’t stand them. Washing them that is. I’m happy to shop for new dishes any day of the week. I’m happy to cook up a storm, but the cleanup, well that’s another story. But alas, my dish fairy has yet to show up. So, until then I like to throw in a casserole every now and then.
This one is full of VEGETABLES! Yes, and well there’s the cheesy goodness too so fear not. You can chop, slice, dice the veggies any way you like really. Go ahead and go crazy. Just cook until tender and move on to the next step. It’s also something you can make ahead of time and then pop it into the oven when you’re ready. Makes it perfect to take to a pot luck or a special delivery to someone who could use a little sunshine in a dish ; )
So the next time you need a little one dish comfort I hope you’ll give this a try!
Baci!
What you’ll need:
1 box of Rigatoni Pasta
1 14.5 oz can of Italian Tomatoes
1 large Eggplant - sliced
2 small Zucchini - sliced
1/2 onion - diced
1 clove of garlic - minced
2 stalks of celery - sliced
1/2 cup of red wine
4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
pinch of thyme
s/p
1 tsp ground nutmeg
3 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups of Grana Padano - grated
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
What to do:
Place olive oil into pan. Heat over medium heat. Add onion and saute, when onion begins to soften add garlic & celery, cook until celery starts to soften. Add eggplant & zucchini and continue cooking. When vegetables start to soften add the tomatoes, season with s/p & thyme. Add the wine and cook until it reduces by half. WHILE the sauce is cooking place a large pot of water onto boil. Season generously with salt. When water is boiling add the pasta and cook until slightly under al dente. Drain and add to sauce. Toss gently.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Into a small bowl add the cream, cheese, egg yolks. Mix together. Season with s/p & add nutmeg. Spray a large ovenproof dish with cooking spray. Add the pasta/sauce mixture into the dish. Pour the cream mixture on top and gently mix together.
Bake for 20-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Buon Appetito!
YUM, Paula! This looks so tasty. But I have a question–maybe it’s my computer, but I don’t see an ingredients list? Is that just me?
Loving the one dish comfort meal! Especially as I head into the busiest term of the year!
Oooh I would like this for breakfast! It looks delicious!
mmmh…That just looks like pure comfort. Very lovely dish!!!
Oh my! That looks fabulous! What a great lenten option for those who (ahem!) don’t eat meat on Fridays, too!
I’m definitely making this today!! I also grabbed your blinkie I love your web site!!!!
yum! Who doesn’t love pasta al forno? looks great!
What a terrific looking one-dish meal. Sure wish you lived nearby.
Love the veggies in this dish and it’d be easy to put some meat in there if one lived with somebody who doesn’t like meatless meals
Looks delicious; pasta and veggies how can you go wrong.
http://thehealthyapron.com/2010/03/18/the-sunshine-award.aspx
Hope you will accept this award!
I’ve never had a pasta gratin, what a great idea! I also love casseroles, never understood people who don’t.
sounds wonderful!
A veggie packed comfort meal. Wonderful!
I like that description, “sunshine in a dish” =). Also being one of the one-pot/dish (at least for a while) worshippers, thank you for sharing this! It looks soo good!
~Kurious Kitteh
Hi there, you busy traveler! This recipe looks scrummy. I think the dot and I need to try it out while she’s home for spring break.
This looks so good. I love gratin dishes and rigatoni is the best pasta isn’t it?
Magda
That looks really good! I love easy dishes. I think I will have to make it this week. Thank you.
Wait. There are people who don’t like casseroles? Who are these people and what is wrong with them? =)
So… Clearly, I fall into the “former, not the latter” category. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It does sound good and like a fun way to use eggplant.
Yum! It’s a rainy, dreary day, and I would love to have a giant bowl of this for dinner.
I am sooo hungry and this looks sooo good. I will definitely try it!
Ooooooh, this looks SO good! This looks incredibly comforting.
what is grana padana
Ciao Stefanie! Grana Padano is a cheese. If you can’t find it you can substitute Parmigiano Reggiano : )
This looks incredible!