Eager to get this homely dish right? Our FAQs will help you with everything from preparing it in advance to storing leftovers, and freezing your bake for another day, ensuring a delicious result every time.
Linguine pasta
|
500 g |
---|---|
Salt
|
1 tbsp |
Courgettes (about 200 g each)
|
2 |
Bechamel sauce
|
1 l |
Lemon
|
1 |
Mozzarella, grated
|
150 g |
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
|
Parmesan cheese, as needed
|
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Unlock the secrets to an excellent courgette pasta bake with our tips.
For an ideal courgette pasta bake, cook your linguine to al dente. This means boiling it until tender yet with a bite, which stops it from turning soft and mushy as it soaks up the creamy béchamel sauce in the oven. Simply cook the pasta for 1–2 minutes less than the packet suggests. Also, keep a ladle of the pasta’s cooking water to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
To check if your courgette pasta bake is ready, insert a knife or skewer into the centre. It should feel hot when you take it out, showing the bake is well heated. Also, the mozzarella should have melted into a golden colour, and the pasta edges should be crisp. These signs mean your bake is ready to come out of the oven.
This creamy courgette pasta bake delivers a cosy, convivial atmosphere and great flavours all in one. Tender linguine and vibrant courgette are smothered in a smooth béchamel sauce for a simple yet indulgent dish. We think this is the perfect addition to your dinner recipe collection!
Every bite of your courgette pasta bake should feature tender courgettes coated in a smooth béchamel sauce. When cooked, courgette offers a mild, earthy sweetness with just a bit of bite, which complements the velvety béchamel sauce. They also add a green hue that makes the dish look nothing short of heavenly.
We have a large collection of creamy dishes, so why not enjoy a few more? Try our recipes for macarona béchamel, chicken pasta with béchamel sauce, or spicy buffalo chicken mac and cheese.
Infuse the pasta bake with subtle notes of citrus to complement the rich sauce without ever overpowering it. Cooking is about balancing tastes and textures, and a simple lemon infusion goes a long way. Béchamel sauce is both creamy and deep-flavoured, and it adds to the comfort food feel of the dish. But by adding the lemon juice, the pasta bake gets a refreshing zing that helps round off the rich flavour.
Our courgette pasta bake is creamy and delightful from start to finish. It embodies the love and joy of comfort food, making it ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. So, get the bake ready and pop it into the oven. In just about 30 minutes, you can cook a delicious dish that is sure to become a favourite with the whole family.
Bring your creativity to the kitchen and experiment with the recipe. There are plenty of ways you can alter and change our version of the courgette pasta bake. For example, start by mixing breadcrumbs with Parmesan and sprinkle it over the mozzarella before baking. This gives an additional layer of texture and a toasty, nutty flavour that elevates the dish.
If you enjoy the refreshing touch of lemon juice, you might want to consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or oregano to the béchamel for extra aroma. Similarly, a pinch of red pepper flakes can introduce a pleasant heat that pairs well with the lemon and sauce.