Creamy Pasta Casserole

I don't know about you, but when back to school time hits it usually takes me about 2 months to get into the groove. The first month, mornings and afternoons are a flurry. Even more so now that I have a very opinionated, not so keen on waking up early little girl in Kindergarten.

So it takes me about a month to get the morning routine down. The afternoon routing, however, is a bit more tricky. After having to sit in after school traffic (at my daughter's school there is seriously only one way in and one way out) for about an hour between the two schools, I have to rush them off to soccer practice. My son started club soccer this year so we have practices and games like everyday!!! And you know once the baby sees the park next to the field he is going to scream until I get him out of the car! Needless to say, we have had many pizza nights recently.

I have two solutions for crazy night meals. Either you get something started in the crock pot and the crack of dawn, or you make a simple casserole. Casseroles are perfect because you cook everything together! The carbs, protein, and veggies....bam! All served up in a heaping scoop! Serve it with a side salad and you have a delicious meal.

This casserole is one of my favorites. It is something my host father (when I was an exchange student) used to make. To this day, when I return to Switzerland and visit him, he always makes this dish for me. It is perfectly creamy and delicious. In his recipe he uses about a cup of butter and heavy whipping cream. I decided to lighten it up slightly and used a margarine spread with 0g trans fat per serving and replaced the whipping cream with fat free half and half.

Why You'll Love This Creamy Pasta Casserole

• Make Ahead Ease. You can prep the veggies and pasta in the morning, assemble and refrigerate. Thirty minutes before you are ready to eat put it in the oven, make you salad and bath the kids, and snap...dinner is ready!
• Easily Customizable. You can tailor this recipe to suit your family's taste. Use chicken or turkey instead of ham. Or add some Southwestern flair with green chiles and salsa. The options are virtually endless.
• Great for Meal Prep. Casseroles are king when it comes to meal prep. Put it together in advance and then store in the freezer. How great is it knowing you've got a hearty, healthy meal ready whenever you need it?!

More Delicious Recipes Like Creamy Pasta Casserole

If  you love this Creamy Pasta Casserole, then you'll want to try my recipes for Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole, Spiralized Zucchini Breakfast Bake, and this Easy Chicken Pot Pie.

Print

Creamy Pasta Casserole {#quickfixcasseroles}

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

 

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 430 kcal

Author: Jackie

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta (any small shape)
• 1 large onion , diced
• 2 garlic cloves , diced
• 1 tablespoon margarine (or butter) spread
• 2 peppers (any color), diced
• 2 medium to large tomatoes , diced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ pound ham , sliced thin or 1 pound of cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon margarine (or butter) spread
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare your pasta 'al dente' as directed on the back of the package.

2. In a large skillet, melt margarine (or butter) spread.

3. Add onions and garlic to hot skillet and cook until slightly caramelized.
4. Add diced peppers, diced tomatoes, and ham (or bacon) to skillet.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Cook for 5 minutes on medium high heat, stirring occasionally.
7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
8. Once pasta has cooked, drain and add 1 tablespoon margarine (or butter) spread.
9. Add the vegetables to the pasta and stir to combine.
10. Pour the pasta and veggies into a large 11x15in baking dish.
11. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the pasta and veggies.
12. Pour the half and half over the pasta.
13. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Pasta Casserole {#quickfixcasseroles}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 430 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 46mg15%

Sodium 516mg22%

Potassium 405mg12%

Carbohydrates 47g16%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 20g40%

Vitamin A 755IU15%

Vitamin C 29.6mg36%

Calcium 223mg22%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.