My family is Italian and I love pasta. While I didn’t grow up eating pasta every day or even every week it’s definitely a comfort food. There’s just something about a bowl of pasta, of any variety that can just warm your heart. Looking for a healthier twist on the Italian American classic ‘Baked Ziti’ I decided to use lentil pasta rather than traditional wheat and combine it with one of my other Italian favorites ‘greens and beans’. I ate a lot of greens and beans growing up so it seemed only natural that a baked pasta version would play to my preferences and add a little pizazz to a less exciting meal option. Using just enough parmesan this dish is cheesy without being overwhelming and still fresh tasting with the kale. With only five main ingredients this dish comes together in a flash and is packed with flavor and satisfaction that’s sure to have you coming back for more!
Kale and White Bean Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 2 Cups tomato sauce or creamy tomato soup
- 15 oz Can cannellini beans or white beans/navy beans
- 8 oz Box Tolerant red lentil penne or 8oz of desired pasta
- 10 oz package frozen chopped kale or roughly 4 cups
- ½ Cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 Teaspoons Italian seasoning if desired
- 1 Teaspoon adobo if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a large pot bring 6 quarts of water to a boil
- Add Tolerant pasta to boiling water and cook 6 minutes. This is less than the recommended 7-9 minutes on the box as you want the pasta al dente so it doesn't overcook in the oven later. If using regular pasta also cook to al dente consistency.
- Remove from heat immediately and drain.
- In an oven safe 8 by 8 (or similar sized) baking dish mix together all ingredients carefully so as not to damage the pasta. Reserve some of the parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top later.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly
- Remove the foil, sprinkle on the reserved parmesan and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly crispy or brown on top
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly and serve!
