Meatless Mondays- Meatless Pasta Bake

Super Yummy!

Hey folks. Hope everyone had a fab Monday. I am late getting this up so officially it's Tuesday but just barely so hopefully you'll forgive me. I mean I've never been on time before so why start now I suppose.

I have been wanting to participate in Meatless Mondays for awhile now. I just have trouble being organized and getting started. I love the idea of going meat free one or two days a week. We do eat meat but I like the idea of cutting back on it. So this is my first go at Meatless Mondays. And guess what? I was not organized. I know right. Total shocker. Been so crazed that by the time I got home tonight it became a night of let's slap together whatever I can come up with containing the little bit of groceries in my very empty fridge. I always aim to be organized yet the last few months I have failed miserably. Luckily slapping together whatever I can come up with seems to work for me. Dinner was yummy so it was a good night. I've done this dish with meat but never without. Very good without I must say. Now I did add cheese. But I mean who wouldn't.

So look forward to this being a regular feature here at the Lunatic's hangout. I shall be meat free every Monday. Next week I have a huge surprise for you folks. You'll love it. Can't wait I'm so excited.

Okay so enough of the blah, blah, blah. Here's what you came for.

Meatless Pasta Bake:

Ingredients:


1 can tomato paste (369 ml/ 13 fl oz)
1 can whole peeled tomatoes (796 ml/ 28 fl oz)
1 can Pasta Sauce, I used Hunt's Roasted Garlic and Herb (680 ml)
1 box or bag rigatoni noodles (454 G)
4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 white onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
4 shallots, diced
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 dash of salt

Directions:


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.


Bring a large pot of water to a full boil.


In a medium saucepan add your tomato paste, whole peeled tomatoes, pasta sauce, and spices. Cook and stir on low heat while you cook everything else.


In a non stick pan saute your onions and shallots in a touch of oil. Do this over medium to low heat until they start to brown. Takes a good ten-ish minutes. Once it's almost done add your garlic. Cook for another 2-ish minutes or so.


Now add this to your sauce.


Once water boils add your noodles. Cook for about 8-ish minutes or until they are al dente.


Remove and drain noodles but don't rinse.


Line a casserole dish with parchment. Makes clean up easier.


Pour your noodles into the casserole dish.


Now pour your sauce over top and stir it up.


Now toss your shredded mozzarella over top.


Place in the oven and cook for about 10-ish  minutes, or until the top is golden brown.


Remove from oven.


Serve with a smile.

My Piece!

Mini-me's dish, she doesn't like tons of cheese!

The rest of us sure do! More for us!

Hope you enjoyed this one. Stop by next Monday for another meatless meal. Have a lovely week my friends. So happy to back, missed you folks.

Toodles and smoochies. xx