Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese

Creamy pasta primavera is filled with vegetables and a cream cheese alfredo sauce, then baked to perfection! This cream cheese pasta recipe is one of our favorite baked pasta dishes, and it’s so easy to make. It’s the perfect family friendly meal!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons light olive oil
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
• ¼ red onion sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chopped yellow squash
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes whole
• ¾ pound cooked penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon salted butter ⅛ stick
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup skim milk
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

Recommended Equipment

• 9×13 Baking Pan

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13 (or large round) baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium/high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.2 tablespoons light olive oil,½ cup diced yellow onion,¼ red onion,3 cloves garlic
3. Add the squash and zucchini, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until the veggies are soft and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes.1 cup chopped zucchini,1 cup chopped yellow squash,Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4. Add in the tomatoes and cook for just 2-3 minutes, until heated through but still retaining their shape.1 cup cherry tomatoes
5. Transfer all the veggies to a large bowl and stir in the cooked pasta. Set aside.¾ pound cooked penne pasta
6. In a small saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Slowly add in the milk and bring to a boil, then reduce immediately to a simmer. Stir often for 5 minutes or until thickened.1 tablespoon salted butter,1 tablespoon all-purpose flour,1 cup skim milk
7. Add in the grated parmesan and the cream cheese and stir until fully combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese,4 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese
8. Pour the cream sauce into the bowl with the pasta, and stir to coat all the pasta and veggies.
9. Pour the pasta into the baking dish and sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella. Cover with the bread crumbs.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese,1 cup Panko bread crumbs
10. Bake for 15 minutes or until the entire dish is heated through and the bread crumbs are browned. Garnish with thyme sprigs.