Delicious Zucchini Baked Pasta

If you were like me, you grew up eating a lot of pasta. It was cheap and easy. That's why it was always one of my mom's favorites. Unfortunately, after a while the ol' spaghetti and Ragu would get a little boring. There was a long period in my life where I didn't even eat pasta because I was so sick of the same old spaghetti.

This dish is nothing like "mom's spaghetti" and is just about as easy! The zucchini melts in your mouth like the warm, gooey cheese that tops this dish off.

Ingredients

1 bag/box of Penne pasta

1 cup of sliced mushrooms

2 zucchinis

1 green bell pepper

1 can or jar of pasta sauce (any flavor)

1 clove of garlic

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups grated soft mozzarella cheese

4 tbs. Olive oil

Fresh oregano

Garlic salt

Directions

1. Cook the pasta as directed.

2. When pasta is done cooking, strain and then pour back into the pot.

3. Mix in the Parmesan cheese, olive oil, a sprinkling of garlic salt, and leaves from one stem of the oregano.

4. Let it sit for a minute for the flavors to mingle.

5. Pour the pasta into a large casserole dish, leaving room for the vegetables.

6. Slice the zucchini into 1/4 inch round slices. Slice the bell peppers into spears.

7. Mix in the raw zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Add two-three more stems worth of oregano leaves.

8. Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese.

9. Cover and bake on 350 for 35-40 minutes.

10. Uncover and bake for another 10-20 minutes until cheese is browning on top.

11. Remove from oven and let sit for another 10 minutes.

Enjoy! Pair with your favorite wine and garlic bread!