Tomato and pea pasta bake

Slowly cooking the peas releases their sweetness and makes this a thoroughly satisfying veggie pasta bake for one. Finishing the pasta bake under the grill is a much faster and cheaper way of getting the golden top and crispy bits that make a pasta bake so enjoyable. This recipe is part of a Budget vegetarian meal plan for one. In August 2022 this recipe was costed at an average of 85p when checking prices at four UK supermarkets. This recipe is designed to be made in conjunction with a low-cost store-cupboard.

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Heat the oil in a frying pan. Toss in the onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, mixed herbs and basil stalks and cook for a further 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 2

Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of water to the boil and cook the penne for 8 minutes, until al dente.

Step 3

Add the tomatoes, a mugful of the pasta water and the peas to the frying pan and cook until the pasta is ready.

Step 4

Preheat the grill to its highest setting. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce, then transfer to an ovenproof dish. Tear the mozzarella over the top and season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Grill for 3–4 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and bubbling. (If you don’t have a grill, simply cook the pasta in the sauce for 2 more minutes and serve with torn mozzarella on top.) Garnish with the basil leaves and serve.

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