Three-Cheese Baked Penne

Name: Three-Cheese Baked Penne
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 15 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese; 4 oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1 oz. Parmesan cheese; 1 tsp. olive oil; 3 clove garlic; 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper; 1 can crushed tomatoes; 2 sprig basil; 1/4 c. finely chopped basil leaves; salt; pepper; 1 box whole wheat penne; 1 lb. green beans

Published: Feb 1, 2012

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Yields:

Prep Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 10 mins

Cal/Serv:

500

This comforting, vegetarian pasta bake combines three kinds of cheese for a gooey, creamy main dish that's still packed with protein and other healthy nutrients.

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Ingredients

15 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese
4 oz. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 oz. Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. olive oil
3 clove garlic
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 sprig basil
1/4 cup finely chopped basil leaves
salt
pepper
1 box whole wheat penne
1 lb. green beans

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In bowl, combine cheeses.
2. Step 2In 12-inch skillet, heat oil on medium. Add garlic and red pepper; cook 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, basil sprigs, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to simmer 20 minutes. Discard basil sprigs.
3. Step 3Meanwhile, heat covered 6-quart pot of water to boiling on high. Add 2 teaspoons salt and pasta; cook 5 minutes less than minimum time that label directs, stirring. Add beans; cook 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain pasta and beans; return to pot. If tomato sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water. To pasta in pot, stir in tomato sauce, chopped basil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper.
4. Step 4Spoon half of pasta mixture into 3-quart shallow baking dish. Dollop with half of cheese mixture. Repeat. Cover with foil; bake 10 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.