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Healthy Pasta Bake

Healthy Pasta Bake

The ultimate comfort food, this Healthy Pasta Bake is a creamy and cheesy delight packed with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it's sure to satisfy your cravings while keeping it nutritious. Make it tonight for a meal that brings everyone together!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can (15-ounce) Sweet Yellow Corn Don't drain, adds sweetness.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning Blend of herbs.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder Enhances flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder Adds depth.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Optional for spice.
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • 1.5 cups Milk Any dairy or plant-based.
  • 2 teaspoons Minced Garlic For flavor.
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour Thickens sauce.
  • 2.5 cups Penne Pasta Best for sauce absorption.
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Adds richness.
  • 12 ounces Frozen Corn Adds moisture.
  • 2 cups Frozen Broccoli Florets Provides nutrition.
  • 9 ounces Smoked Chicken Sausage Cut into half moons.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated.
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Basil Optional for freshness.

Equipment

  • 9 x 13-inch baking pan
  • Blender or food processor
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F, setting the stage for the perfect cook on your Healthy Pasta Bake. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to ensure your pasta doesn’t stick.
  2. In a powerful blender or food processor, add the entire contents of the can of sweet yellow corn (don’t drain it!), along with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, milk, and flour. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I recommend one teaspoon of salt and three-quarters of a teaspoon of pepper). Blend until completely smooth, which should take about one to two minutes.
  3. Once your mixture is smooth, spread the uncooked penne pasta evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. Carefully pour the blended mixture on top of the pasta, ensuring it covers the pasta entirely. Toss gently to combine, pressing the pasta into the sauce so that it cooks evenly.
  4. Take two pieces of unsalted butter and place them on top of the pasta and sauce mixture. This will melt down during baking, adding richness to the dish.
  5. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, ensuring it’s well-sealed to trap the steam. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for twenty minutes.
  6. After twenty minutes, carefully remove the foil and stir everything together well, making sure to incorporate the pasta with the sauce. This will help distribute the flavors evenly.
  7. Add in the frozen corn, frozen broccoli florets, and the cut smoked chicken sausage. Stir to combine everything again, ensuring each ingredient is well mixed.
  8. Return the pan to the oven uncovered, and bake for an additional fifteen minutes. This will allow the pasta to become tender and the sauce to thicken. Keep an eye on it to avoid overbaking, as this can cause the sauce to dry out.
  9. Once the pasta is tender, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Give it a gentle stir for about a minute to mix everything. Now it’s time to add the Parmesan cheese; do this gradually, a few tablespoons at a time while stirring continuously to avoid clumping.
  10. If you’re using fresh basil, now is the time to mix it in, tearing it into small pieces or cutting it into ribbons. Alternatively, you can serve each plate with a scoop of pesto for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Healthy Pasta Bake!

Notes

  • Tip 1: Add the entire can of sweet yellow corn (don’t drain or rinse). For a fun flavor variation that I love, use a can of southwestern corn and add 1 teaspoon paprika to the blender—delish!
  • Tip 2: This recipe works best with penne or rotini pasta, which are both great at soaking everything up and baking through perfectly in the time. Ensure whatever pasta is being used has a similar boil time to penne/rotini (9 to 11 minutes).
  • Tip 3: It’s important to use both frozen corn and broccoli instead of fresh—this recipe relies on the liquid from both.
  • Tip 4: Any smoked sausage works. I like smoked chicken sausage best (Aidell’s® Italian Style is my fave—I use 3 links). It keeps things healthy and tastes great. Turkey sausage is another fave. Though I only use 9 ounces of sausage, you can add more to this dish—it works fine, and it will be very meaty!
  • Tip 5: Grab a block of Parmesan and grate it on the small holes of a grater. Alternatively, use finely grated Parmesan cheese. Parmesan from the can will be too salty and won’t melt into the sauce nicely.
  • Tip 6: This dish benefits from fresh basil or a scoop of pesto. Each adds freshness, brightness, and great flavor. I recommend at least one of these toppings!
  • Tip 7: Store Healthy Pasta Bake in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing, as dairy-based sauce and pasta do not freeze or thaw well.