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Pesto Ranch Cheesy Pasta Bake

ByCrystal Posted onMarch 26, 2012July 12, 2019 Updated onJuly 12, 2019

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My husband is taking a welding class Monday through Wednesday evenings each week. So, those three days a week our menu plan is very hectic to say the least. He has to be out of the house by a little after 5, so we have gotten to where we eat a late breakfast & an early dinner/late lunch, and just whatever we can find when we get hungry later. A little part of me breaths a sigh of relief once Thursday begins because I know we will be eating at more ‘normal’ hours. Last week, my husband came in from class & both of us were pretty hungry. I hadn’t been to the store in a while, so the pickings were getting slim. I grabbed a few ingredients that I thought might taste well together, & set to work. Pesto, Ranch, Noodles, Asparagus, & Cheese. That’s it. I had a dish on the table in 20 minutes – and once we took that first bite, we both had a definite ‘wow’ moment’. Delicious to say the least, and I was just amazed that it tasted so good for as quick as it was to put together.

I just had to share this Pesto Ranch Cheesy Pasta Bake with you all. You can literally have this on the table in 20 minutes, and it will taste like you slaved away for a lot longer when you serve it up. Totally delicious!

This is a meatless entree as written, but it would be amazing with chicken strips thrown in as well. If you want it ‘ranchier’ add more ranch – if you want more pesto, stir some more in. Taste it, customize it, and love it!

Pesto Ranch Cheesy Pasta Bake

Author Mrs Happy Homemaker

Ingredients

1 16oz box penne pasta
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup prepared pesto
1 14oz can asparagus tips (optional)
2 cups mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to broil.
In a large pot, cook the penne pasta to box directions. Strain.
Pour the strained pasta back into the pot. Stir in the asparagus tips, pesto & ranch. Taste - add more of either if you'd like to. Stir in 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Spray a medium casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop in the pasta. Top with remaining cheese. Broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted & starting to brown.

MrsHappyHomemaker

Crystal

Crystal, AKA 'Mrs. Happy Homemaker' wears many hats - blogger, homesteader, widow, mom to three wonderful kids, and the self-proclaimed biscuit queen. She likes to think of herself as a domestic diva - just without all the glitz and glamour. Unless, of course, your idea of glamour involves staying in comfy PJs and sporting a ponytail almost all the time. If that's the case, well then, she's your gal! At her humble homestead, they raise chickens and enjoy gardening. She takes pride in preserving all their homegrown produce - canning, freezing, drying - you name it! The whole concept of homesteading fills her with such joy and excitement.

7 Comments

AJ says:

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Great, but add way more pesto and ranch! I added almost double and it still could have used more. Make sure to coat evenly. I also think you could go without browning the cheese, but still melting it a lot.

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Lia says:

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Just finished eating this and oh how yummy. I did add the chicken and fresh asparagus. This will be in my regular pasta rotation.

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Amanda says:

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Made this tonight, my boyfriend loved it (three plates later)! I thought it could use a little more flavor. I doubled the pesto, and added chicken and fresh cut tomatoes and still wanted some more flavor. I will be making it again, though! Great recipe!

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