Baked Pasta & Spring Veggies

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This spring vegetable pasta bake is a comforting dish that celebrates the fresh flavors of the season. Whole-wheat pasta adds a boost of fiber, while green peas, tender asparagus and baby spinach add color and flavor. A creamy blend of mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan melts into every bite. This spring pasta bake is wholesome, flavorful and easy to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a spring gathering.

a recipe photo of Baked Pasta & Spring Veggies
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
6
  • Whole-wheat pasta adds fiber and energy-sustaining carbohydrates for a healthy, active lifestyle.
  • Asparagus and spinach provide essential vitamins for strong muscles and healthy eyesight.
  • Using pre-shredded cheese can save time, but might thicken the ricotta mix.

Our Baked Pasta & Spring Veggies is equal parts comforting and light, and perfect for whipping up any night of the week. Cook up the best of the spring bounty with tender asparagus, earthy zucchini and hearty peas—all nutrition powerhouses. The veggies are baked with fiber-rich whole-wheat pasta in a creamy sauce made with three types of cheese—soft ricotta, umami-packed Parmesan and melty mozzarella. We also threw in some onions, garlic and spinach to level up the flavor and antioxidant content. Keep reading for our expert tips on ingredient shortcuts, variations and more.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To save time on preparation, you can use pre-shredded cheese; however, be aware that it often contains additives that may result in a thicker ricotta mixture.
  • Adding an egg to the ricotta mixture helps prevent the cheese sauce from separating during baking.
  • It’s important to cook the spinach just until it wilts to eliminate excess moisture in the pasta bake, which could cause the sauce to separate.
  • Feel free to substitute or add your favorite vegetables—chopped artichoke hearts would be a delicious option. For a different flavor, consider adding pesto or chopped herbs to the ricotta mixture.

Nutrition Notes

  • This recipe uses three types of cheese: ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella. They offer unique flavors and textures but also share some common nutritional benefits. They all have protein, which is essential for muscle building, and calcium, which is essential for muscle contraction and bone health.
  • Asparagus is a quintessential spring vegetable that is high in vitamin A, which is great for immune function, skin health and healthy eyesight. Asparagus is also high in an important antioxidant called glutathione, which helps to decrease inflammation from illness. 
  • Baby spinach is an easy green that can be added to many dishes. Whether frozen or fresh, you get iron, folate and potassium—great for heart health. 
  • Whole-wheat penne was chosen here over semolina or white pasta because it offers more protein and fiber, but you could always use another type of pasta. Whole-wheat pasta is an excellent source of healthy carbohydrates for energy to support your active lifestyle. 
Ingredients arranged for cooking, including asparagus, peas, pasta, cheese, and other items on a board

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

  • 1 cup low-moisture part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 8 ounces asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces ( cups)

  • 1 small zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch half-moons (about cups)

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

  • 3 medium cloves garlic, minced 

  • 2 cups frozen green peas, thawed

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach, coarsely chopped (5 packed cups)

  • 6 ounces whole-wheat penne, cooked according to package directions

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat an 8-inch-square baking dish with cooking spray. Whisk 1 cup ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella, ½ cup cream, ½ cup Parmesan, beaten egg and ¼ teaspoon salt together in a large bowl until combined; set aside.

    Ingredients including grated cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg being mixed with a whisk in a glass bowl

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

  2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cut asparagus, sliced zucchini, chopped onion and minced garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and slightly browned, about 7 minutes.

    A skillet with assorted spring vegetables being sautéed

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

  3. Add thawed peas, 2 tablespoons basil, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chopped spinach in handfuls, stirring until just wilted before adding more, about 5 minutes.

    A pan of mixed spring vegetables with leafy greens and peas, cooking utensils included

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

  4. Add the zucchini mixture and cooked penne to the large bowl with the ricotta mixture; fold until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish; sprinkle evenly with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella.

    Casserole dish with pasta, shredded cheese, and mixed vegetables arranged for baking

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

  5. Bake until the cheese is melted and the pasta mixture is heated through, about 15 minutes. Garnish with basil, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When it’s time to reheat, you can place it in a baking dish, cover in foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Or you can reheat individual portions in a microwave. Sprinkle the pasta with a tiny bit of water to help prevent it from drying out while it’s warming. Heat it in 1-minute increments until heated through.

  • Can I freeze baked pasta?

    Absolutely! To freeze your baked pasta, allow it to cool completely, then double-wrap it in foil to prevent freezer burn. It’s best to use it within 2 months. When ready to use it, thaw the baked pasta overnight in the refrigerator. For optimal results, remove it from the refrigerator 1 hour before heating to let it come to room temperature. Sprinkle with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water, then heat it in a 375°F oven for approximately 25 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave it on Medium in 1- to 2-minute intervals until it’s heated throughout.

  • What should I serve with Baked Pasta & Spring Veggies?

    We would serve our baked pasta with a simple green salad like our Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette, Summer Blueberry Salad or Spinach Salad with Ginger-Soy Dressing. Plus, we would include a fresh baguette to mop up every last bit of flavor. Serving this with a rotisserie chicken would be a delicious pairing too.

EatingWell.com, May 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

411 Calories
22g Fat
36g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 411
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 7g 23%
Total Sugars 7g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 20g 41%
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 11g 53%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Vitamin A 372µg
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Vitamin D 1µg
Vitamin E 2mg 16%
Folate 186µg
Vitamin K 163µg
Sodium 601mg 26%
Calcium 373mg 29%
Iron 3mg 18%
Magnesium 90mg 21%
Potassium 652mg 14%
Zinc 3mg 29%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.