VEGETABLE ALFREDO PASTA RECIPES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer pasta to a large bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until browned, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Melt butter in another skillet over medium heat; cook and stir flour in melted butter until lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk half-and-half and milk into flour mixture until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning into cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes, spinach, and onion mixture; simmer until heated through.
• Pour vegetable sauce over pasta and toss to coat.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add carrot; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add zucchini; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg and pepper flakes; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add spinach; stir until wilted. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Stir in pasta; pour mixture into pan.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly around edges and heated through. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 3-inch skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add bread crumbs; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Sprinkle over baked pasta.