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Red Pepper-Spinach Pasta Bake Recipe

This is my own creation-an Italian,Vegetarian Delight brimming with home made Pasta Sauce, Red Peppers, Spinach and Cannelloni pasta- baked to perfection. This recipe is a sure hit with my family and friends. Red Pepper-Spinach Pasta Bake picture

Summary

Preparation Time30 MinCooking Time46 Min

Ready In1 Hr 16 MinDifficulty LevelEasy

Health IndexJust EnjoyServings4

CuisineItalianCourseMain Dish

TasteSavourFeelRich

MethodBakedSpecialityComplete Meal

VegetarianLacto Ovo VegetarianInterest GroupParty

Ingredients

Ingredients:

2 boxes frozen chopped spinach, 1 cup red bell pepper-chopped,

1 tbsp-Olive Oil,

1 large onion-chopped,3 Garlic cloves, Red chili powder, Paprika, Sugar (a pinch), Salt,

1 small packet Taco seasoning- yes, taco seasoning(it gives it tons of flavor to the bland spinach!)

For the Home made tomato sauce:

3 cans Italian Style tomatoes, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, black pepper to taste, salt, sugar, garlic powder, fresh basil, oregano, olive oil.

Pasta and cheese: 1 box cannelloni or jumbo pasta shells or any pasta which you can stuff. Examples: Manicotti, large rigatoni, or shells.

Mozzarella, Parmesan and Cheddar cheeses, shredded finely.

Directions

To make the sauce:
In a deep pan, heat oil and add onions and garlic. Add the canned tomatoes and all the spices except the basil. Simmer for half hour, adjust seasonings, the sauce should not be too tart. Add the basil after the half hour. Simmer on low heat till the sauce thickens.

For the filling: Heat oil, saute onions and garlic and bell pepper. Add spinach after defrosting and draining, and the spices. Cook well until all the flavors come together. Set aside to cool until ready to stuff the pasta.
To assemble: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Let the filling cool down before stuffing. In an oven proof pan, spread some tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan. Stuff each pasta cavity with the spinach mixture and place in pan until it is filled. Spread more sauce over the pan until all the pasta is immersed in the sauce. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake in the oven at 350 for about 45 minutes. Serve hot with garlic bread on the side.
Enjoy