Baked Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese Alfredo Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that delivers comfort, freshness, and a creamy twist all in one, the Baked Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese Alfredo Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This vibrant baked pasta combines crisp-tender vegetables with a luscious, homemade Alfredo sauce that uses cream cheese for extra smoothness and tang. It’s a beautiful balance of hearty and light, cheesy and fresh—making it perfect for weeknight dinners that feel special or cozy weekend meals shared with loved ones. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a go-to for gatherings or whenever you need a comforting plate full of color and flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every great dish starts with simple, quality ingredients that each bring their own magic. For this baked pasta primavera, the mix of fresh veggies, creamy cheeses, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in a way that’s both inviting and satisfying. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need to create this vibrant, cheesy masterpiece:

• Light olive oil: The perfect base for sautéing, adding a subtle fruity depth while keeping the dish light.
• Diced yellow onion: Adds sweetness and a foundational savory layer when softened.
• Sliced red onion: Delivers a mild sharpness and gorgeous color contrast.
• Minced garlic: Infuses the dish with its unmistakable aromatic kick.
• Chopped yellow squash: Provides a tender texture and bright, sunny color.
• Chopped zucchini: Adds a mild, fresh green note and pairs beautifully with the squash.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
• Cherry tomatoes: Their juiciness lightens the dish and brings bursts of sweet acidity.
• Cooked penne pasta: The sturdy shape cradles the sauce perfectly and holds up well in baking.
• Salted butter: Enriches the Alfredo sauce with its creamy texture and subtle saltiness.
• All-purpose flour: The thickening agent that creates the silkiness in the sauce.
• Skim milk: Keeps the sauce creamy yet not overly heavy.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, nutty depth to the sauce.
• Low-fat cream cheese: The secret ingredient that makes this Alfredo ultra creamy and tangy.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully on top to form a golden crust.
• Panko bread crumbs: Give that irresistible crunchy topping to finish the dish.
• Fresh thyme sprigs: Provide an herbal freshness for garnish and aroma.

How to Make Baked Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese Alfredo Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and greasing a 9×13 baking dish or a large round pan. This ensures your pasta won’t stick and provides the perfect vessel for baking the dish to golden bubbly perfection.

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic

Heat the light olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic, cooking until they turn fragrant and translucent, which takes around 3 to 4 minutes. This step builds the base flavor with sweet and aromatic notes that will mingle beautifully with the rest of the vegetables.

Step 3: Cook the Squash and Zucchini

Now toss in the chopped yellow squash and zucchini. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to bring out their natural flavors. Sauté these until they soften and just begin to brown – about 6 minutes – developing a lovely, slightly caramelized edge that adds complexity to every bite.

Step 4: Add the Cherry Tomatoes

Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes and cook just 2 or 3 minutes. You want them warmed through but still holding their shape, so their juicy bursts remain intact when mixed with the pasta later.

Step 5: Mix Vegetables with Cooked Penne

Transfer your sautéed veggies to a large bowl and stir in the cooked penne pasta. This combination of textures will make each forkful a delightful mix of tender pasta and vibrant veggies.

Step 6: Begin the Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce

In a separate small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes to create a roux, which will thicken your sauce beautifully without lumps.

Step 7: Add Milk and Thicken Sauce

Slowly whisk in the skim milk and bring it to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes until you see a luscious creamy texture that clings to the whisk—it’s the hallmark of a perfect Alfredo base.

Step 8: Incorporate Parmesan and Cream Cheese

Turn down the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan and low-fat cream cheese. Keep stirring until everything melts smoothly and combines, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. This creamy sauce is what makes the Baked Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese Alfredo Recipe so irresistibly rich yet fresh.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Pour the heavenly Alfredo sauce into the bowl with the pasta and veggies. Stir gently to coat every piece of pasta and vegetable in that velvety sauce, ensuring no bite is left dry.

Step 10: Assemble and Top

Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella all over the top, and generously cover with Panko bread crumbs. This topping adds a satisfyingly crunchy contrast to the creamy, soft layers beneath.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the dish is thoroughly heated and the bread crumbs turn a beautiful golden brown. Finish by garnishing with fresh thyme sprigs to add a bright herbal note and visual appeal.

How to Serve Baked Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese Alfredo Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh thyme sprigs are a fantastic way to highlight the herbal undertones of the dish and add a touch of elegance. You can also sprinkle a little extra Parmesan or a few red pepper flakes if you like a bit of kick. These simple touches instantly elevate your presentation and flavor.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with light sides like a crisp garden salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or a plate of garlic-roasted asparagus. If you want something heartier, a warm loaf of crusty bread or garlic knots can help soak up every last bit of that creamy Alfredo sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve individual portions in small ramekins or cast-iron skillets baked right at the table for added warmth and charm. You can also layer the pasta primavera in glass baking dishes for an attractive layered look where all the colors peek through. This makes the meal feel even more festive and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making it a great meal to enjoy for lunch or dinner the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover baked pasta primavera for up to 2 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best quality and texture.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to keep the moisture intact, or zap individual portions in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened a bit in the fridge, stirring in a splash of milk before reheating helps restore that creamy consistency you love.

FAQs

Can I use different types of pasta for this dish?

Absolutely! While penne works wonderfully for holding the sauce, you can swap in rigatoni, fusilli, or even bowtie pasta depending on what you have on hand. Just be sure to cook it al dente so it doesn’t get too soft when baked.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, the recipe is already vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat or animal broth. Just double-check that your Parmesan is vegetarian or use a suitable substitute if you prefer.

Can I add other vegetables to the primavera?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in bell peppers, peas, broccoli florets, or mushrooms. Just adjust cooking times so all veggies are tender and delicious.

What can I substitute for cream cheese in the Alfredo sauce?

If you don’t have cream cheese, mascarpone or Greek yogurt can be a good alternative to keep the sauce creamy and slightly tangy, though the texture might differ slightly.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for thickening the sauce. Also, confirm that your Panko breadcrumbs are gluten-free or replace them with crushed gluten-free crackers.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about a dish like this Baked Pasta Primavera with Cream Cheese Alfredo Recipe. It masterfully brings the best of creamy, cheesy goodness together with fresh garden veggies in a way that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or even just yourself, I can’t recommend this recipe enough. Give it a try—your taste buds will thank you, and chances are, this will be on repeat in your meal rotation before you know it!

Print