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Roasted Veggie & Melty Mozzarella Pasta Recipe
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RITA'S KITCHEN

Roasted Veggie & Melty Mozzarella Pasta Recipe

"Making the most of those early-season summer veggies by roasting them up and tossing them with perfectly al dente fusilli, butter, Gratsi white, and lemon juice. A decadent but light pasta I could eat every day."

By Rita Kokshanian Mashkova

 |  

May 16, 2024

By Rita Kokshanian Mashkova

Ingredients

  • 1

    medium eggplant, chopped 

  • 1

    medium zucchini or summer squash, chopped 

  • 1

    red bell pepper, chopped 

  • 1/2

    pint cherry tomatoes 

  • 1

    small or 1/2 large red onion, chopped 

  • 1

    tbsp aleppo pepper 

  • 1/3

    cup olive oil + 1 tbsp 

  • 1/2 lb

    fusilli pasta 

  • 1/2

  • 2

    tbsp butter 

  • 1.5

    tbsp lemon juice 

  • 1

    ball fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into bite-sized chunks 

  • Basil for garnish 

  • Zest of 1 lemon

  • Salt

TOTAL TIME

40 Minutes

2-3 servings

The best part is that the oven does most of the work — while the vegetables roast and caramelize, the rest comes together in minutes. The melty mozzarella folded in at the end makes it feel indulgent without much effort. For more comforting baked pasta and roasted vegetable recipes, discover our guide to Pasta Recipes and Their Italian Region, our post on Baked Ziti, and our article on Pesto Roasted Tomatoes Burrata. A glass of Gratsi White makes the perfect partner for this creamy, veggie-forward dish.

A pan of rotini pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, eggplant, yellow bell peppers, and melted mozzarella cheese on top sits on a stovetop.

STEP 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 415 degrees fahrenheit.

STEP 2: Toss the Vegetables

On a large baking sheet, toss veggies with 1/3 cup olive oil, Aleppo pepper, and season generously with salt. Make sure they are evenly coated, and spread into a single layer.

A baking sheet filled with chopped vegetables including yellow squash, eggplant, red bell peppers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes, all seasoned and ready for roasting.

STEP 3: Roast the Vegetables

Bake for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until veggies are soft and starting to caramelize.

STEP 4: Cook the Pasta

While the veggies are baking, cook pasta in boiling , heavily salted water until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve pasta water.

STEP 5: Start the Sauce

Heat remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan, then add roasted veggies and cooked pasta. 

STEP 6: Add Wine, Lemon, and Butter

Toss, then add white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, and about 1/4 cup of pasta water.

A hand pours clear liquid from a glass into a skillet filled with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, and eggplant. Bananas and oranges are visible in the background on a kitchen counter.

STEP 7: Coat the Pasta

Mix and cook over medium heat until a glossy sauce is coating the pasta and veggies. You may need to add a bit more pasta water.

STEP 8: Add the Mozzarella

Turn heat down to low and spread mozzarella chunks over the top.

STEP 9: Melt the Cheese

Cover and cook just until cheese has melted, 1-2 minutes.

STEP 10: Garnish and Serve

Serve immediately and garnish with fresh basil, enjoy!

A pan of rotini pasta with tomatoes and vegetables sits next to a white plate of the pasta topped with fresh basil. A glass of water is also visible on the wooden table.
A bowl of rotini pasta with roasted vegetables, fresh basil, and cheese sits on a wooden table, next to a pan of pasta, a glass, and a pitcher of white wine labeled GRATSI.

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