Cheesy Pasta Bake

For the past week everyone in our house has been battling a nasty cold.  I have been so tired and worn out that normal daily tasks have been extremely exhausting.  I am starting to feel better, but now I think my poor hubby is coming down with it :(

Fortunately tonight's dinner was super easy to make.  It is cheesy, creamy, and comforting.  Probably not the  most healing dish for the sickies, but if my hubby is not feeling up to it I can whip him up some homemade broth and noodles in a snap.

Cheesy Pasta Bake source Southern Living

16 oz whole wheat penne pasta

16 oz chopped broccoli

2 - 16 oz jars of alfredo sauce

8 oz fat free sour cream

15 oz ricotta cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups reduced fat mozzarella cheese 

• Prepare pasta as directed on the package
• Toss alfredo sauce and sour cream with pasta
• Add broccoli and toss well to coat
• Spoon half of the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish
• In a small bowl mix together ricotta cheese, eggs, and parmesan cheese
• Spread ricotta mixture over the noodles in the baking dish
• Top with the remaining noodle mixture
• Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese
• Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly

This dish smells absolutely wonderful!  Everyone gobbled this one up in no time!  Definitely a simple dish to make when you don't feel like babysitting whatever is on the stove :)  Not to mention any dish that gets the kids up for seconds and thirds is a sign of perfection!

Below is the nutritional value per serving.  This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 292 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 470 Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23.0g 35%

Saturated Fat 10.1g 50%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 102mg 34%

Sodium 745mg 31%

Total Carbohydrates 44.1g 15%

Dietary Fiber 6.0g 24%

Sugars 3.9g

Protein 21.1g

Vitamin A 13% • Vitamin C 113% Calcium 25% • Iron 25%

Nutrition Grade B-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in sugar
• Very high in vitamin B6
• Very high in vitamin C

Bad points

• High in saturated fat