Baked penne pasta

My love for pasta is unconditional. Initially I was following the serving suggestions given on the pasta sauce bottle. Then I started looking for recipes and found a recipe for baked pasta. I usually look for recipes and try to recreate in my own way. Likewise I had made pasta bake without any pasta sauce and it was good. This time I made with marinara sauce and it was really yummy and a clean eat. 

Yields : 3-4 servings

Ingredients:

1. Penne pasta- 1.5 cup

2. Onion- 1/4 cup chopped

3. Mushrooms- 1.5 cup chopped

4. Capsicum/Bell pepper- 1/2 medium of any 2 colours or any 1 medium 

5. Chicken- 1/2 cup chopped boneless

6. Garlic- 2 small pods finely chopped

7. Dry herbs- 1 tsp

8. Black pepper powder- 1 tsp

9. Salt- to taste

10. Marinara sauce- 2 cups

11. Olive oil- 1.5 tbsp

12. Shredded cheese- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp

13. Butter melted- 2-3 tsp

* You can also make marinara sauce with tomato sauce. Recipe below.

Method:

1. Cook pasta in boiled water by adding required salt. Drain and keep aside.

2. Cook the chicken pieces with little salt and pepper and if required add little water. 

3. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add the chopped garlic and saute well until it turns golden brown and then add chopped onion. Saute well till it is translucent.

4. Add chopped mushrooms and bell peppers. Saute for a min and then add black pepper powder and salt. Saute well. 

5. Add cooked chicken pieces. Stir fry for a min. Switch off the flame and add 2 tbsp of shredded cheese. Mix well and keep aside.

6. Add the marinara sauce to cooked pasta and mix well. Then add the stir fried mixture to this and mix.

7. Brush baking pan with melted butter. Transfer the mixture into it and top with shredded cheese. Bake them in an preheated oven at 210 deg for 20-25 minutes. 

* You can also skip the cheese part if you want.

* For vegetable baked pasta you can also add zucchini, baby corn, broccoli, potatoes etc. 

Marinara sauce recipe:

1. Tomato sauce- 1.5 cup

2. Onion- 1/4 cup finely chopped

3. Garlic- 3/4 tsp minced

4. Dried herbs- 1 tsp

5. Sugar- 1/2 tsp

6. Olive oil- 1.5 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Saute onion and garlic until it turns golden brown.

2. Lower the flame and add the tomato sauce. Stir well and cook. 

3. Add dried herbs and let it cook for few mins.

4. Add sugar and mix well. Switch off the flame and season with little salt and pepper. 

* Allow to cool before adding to the pasta.

Enjoy the hot cheesy baked penne pasta with mushrooms and chicken !!