This veggie lover’s baked rigatoni is packed full of cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach. A hearty and delicious vegetarian dinner!
This veggie packed rigatoni recipe is a family favorite!
This veggie lover’s baked rigatoni has been a reader favorite over the years and is the best vegetable pasta bake. It’s been made by thousands of readers and become a family favorite pasta recipe.
Packed full of tons of fresh veggies, hearty rigatoni pasta, and topped with the perfect mixture of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Read the reviews and you will be convinced!
As a vegetarian, I’ve eaten quite a bit of pasta in my day, but this is one of the best I’ve ever eaten!
My mission was to create a deliciously cheesy pasta that was heavy on both flavor and veggies so that it didn’t sit as heavy as other pastas can on my stomach.
We’re going all in on this pasta with cherry tomatoes, onions, fresh garlic, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini and spinach! A true veggie lover’s perfect pasta recipe.
How to make veggie lover’s baked rigatoni
Step 1: Toss the cherry tomatoes with the olive oil and place them in an even layer on a baking sheet. Roast the tomatoes at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until they start to wilt and burst. This brings out such a lovely flavor in the tomatoes!
Step 2: Cook your rigatoni according to instructions and set aside. While the rigatoni is cooking, start cooking your vegetables. In a large skillet, combine the onions, mushrooms, bell pepper, zucchini, garlic, dried basil, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Step 3: Sautee the vegetables on medium high heat for 12-15 minutes, or until the liquid is released and vegetables have started to cook down. Add the spinach and wilt for several minutes, continuing to stir.
Step 4: Add the pasta sauce and stir to combine it with the vegetables. We like to use Raos brand for the best flavor.
Step 5: Add the cooked tomatoes to the sauce with the other veggies and stir. Mix the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses together in a bowl. Add 1 cup of the cheese mixture to the veggie pasta sauce and stir it up.
Step 6: Combine the cooked rigatoni noodles with the veggie pasta sauce and transfer the mixture to a greased 13 by 9 baking dish.
Step 7: Top the pasta with the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese, then bake until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Serve and enjoy!
I love the texture and firmness of rigatoni, and it doesn’t get soggy quickly when baking, making it perfect for this pasta bake. Beautifully symmetrical pasta with tons of veggies and crispy pieces of cheese on top.
Freaking delish! We are new to the world of veggies but this dish here let’s me know what we’ve been missing! I followed the directions and it came out perfect!
I used a blend of mozzarella and parmesan on top of the pasta and cooked it just long enough for the cheese to melt and start to get a little browned on top. Those browned bits will be your favorite bites!
If you want it more browned on top, simply broil the pasta for the last 1-3 minutes, watching closely.
I love this recipe! We are trying to eat vegetarian every other day. This meal is filling and satisfying. – Kasey
This makes a huge 13 by 9 casserole dish and we enjoyed the leftovers for several days. Serve as is or with some red pepper flakes on top if you like a little heat! You can’t go wrong with this delicious rigatoni recipe.
Freaking delish! We are new to the world or veggies but this dish here let’s me know what we’ve been missing! I followed the directions and it came out perfect !
I have grandchildren that are allergic to dairy. I made this recipe using non dairy cheeses and it was delicious. Can’t wait to try it with the real cheeses!
Thank you
Pam
You could assemble it ahead. Just cook the noodles 1 – 2 minutes less, and bake at 350 from refrigerated until it’s hot and bubbly. I can’t say an exact time as I have not tried it myself.
I was searching for a slow cooker recipe for an upcoming thingy….saw “Veggie Lovers…” down below your ziti recipe (which i also intend to try) & thought, well, still need dinner tonight! So glad I followed it.
Had all the ingredients on hand, super quick & easy, soooo good. We all loved it – even the reheats – thank you!!!
I love this recipe! We are trying to eat vegetarian every other day. This meal is filling and satisfying. I didn’t roast the tomatoes, I was too lazy, but it turned out perfect. I might sprinkle bread crumbs on top next time I make it, for a crispy top crust.
Such a great recipe! I always find I need to make some sort of veggie side when I make pasta to get in some vegetables. Love how they are incorporated into this recipe!
If I make this and freeze it to heat up at a later date , would I put it directly into the oven from freezer and for how long ?
Thanks !
Freaking delish! We are new to the world or veggies but this dish here let’s me know what we’ve been missing! I followed the directions and it came out perfect !
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
@Joy Shull, Hi, do you think it would be ok without the cheese? Could something else replace the cheese??
I have grandchildren that are allergic to dairy. I made this recipe using non dairy cheeses and it was delicious. Can’t wait to try it with the real cheeses!
Thank you
Pam
Can I assemble this early in day and bake later. What would the bake time be and should pasta be a little firmer
You could assemble it ahead. Just cook the noodles 1 – 2 minutes less, and bake at 350 from refrigerated until it’s hot and bubbly. I can’t say an exact time as I have not tried it myself.
I was searching for a slow cooker recipe for an upcoming thingy….saw “Veggie Lovers…” down below your ziti recipe (which i also intend to try) & thought, well, still need dinner tonight! So glad I followed it.
Had all the ingredients on hand, super quick & easy, soooo good. We all loved it – even the reheats – thank you!!!
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
I love this recipe! We are trying to eat vegetarian every other day. This meal is filling and satisfying. I didn’t roast the tomatoes, I was too lazy, but it turned out perfect. I might sprinkle bread crumbs on top next time I make it, for a crispy top crust.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
How can I make half of this recipe? I believe this will be too much!!! Looking at serving 5 people
You can just cut the quantities in half, or save leftovers for later. I personally love having some leftover for the next day!
Made this today very good with great flavor!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
When do you use the tomatoes?
You stir them into the other veggies when mixed with the sauce. I have updated the recipe to include this. My apologies for the oversight!
I love pasta! This looks so delicious!
Thanks Bethany!
Such a great recipe! I always find I need to make some sort of veggie side when I make pasta to get in some vegetables. Love how they are incorporated into this recipe!
Thanks Jess!