Description
A hearty Minestrone Casserole that transforms classic minestrone soup flavors into a comforting baked dish with pasta, vegetables, beans, tomato sauce, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
4 cups dried mafalda pasta (mini lasagna noodles)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Chopped fresh basil and/or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water for the minimum time listed on the package until just tender. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cover, and cook until carrots are just tender.
- Add zucchini and garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add cooked vegetables to the pasta bowl along with kidney beans, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, frozen green beans, tomato sauce, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir until everything is well combined.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top, and return to oven.
- Bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
Cook pasta just to al dente to avoid over-softening.
Add spinach or kale during the last few minutes for extra greens.
A splash of tomato sauce can be added when reheating if needed.
Works well for meal prep and leftovers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
