This Casserole is So Big, It's Full of Secrets

I love casseroles!

Why? Because they are one of the easiest ways to reinvent foods and make a no fuss ton of food to feed a whole crew. Or feed yourself for a week! Whatever you're into.

I'm usually just cooking for myself, but I default to making casseroles in a 9"x13" baking dish. They freeze well, keep well, travel well. You can't go wrong baby!

Why are casseroles full of secrets? You can hide things (like veggies) in them and suspicious, non-veggie-loving friends (or parents) probably won't even know! Or perhaps you can use all of your leftovers! Waste not, want not, eat your veggies, be fabulous!! The best rules in life.

This Casserole is So Big, It's Full of Secrets

Filling:
2 cups rotini pasta (or whatever you have)
8 oz ricotta 
1 minced garlic clove
sprinkle of pepper
1/2-3/4 cup Italian cheese blend
1 egg
1 cup pulled chicken, remove skin and bones
1 thinly sliced zucchini

Sauce:

2-3 cups left over veggies- the ones I had in the freezer and fridge:

butternut squash

asparagus

onions

green beans

red peppers

2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes

1 minced garlic clove

1/2-1 cup veggie broth, depends on the water content of the veggies you use

Preheat oven to 350.

Boil salted water to cook the pasta. Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, garlic, a sprinkle of pepper, 1/4 cup mixed Italian cheese, and the egg. Add the hot, cooked pasta and mix together.

Start warming a sauce pot, and add all of your left over veggies from the freezer and fridge. Add chopped tomatoes and garlic. Simmer together until soft with veggie broth, then use the immersion blender to blend into a consistent sauce (or regular blender).

In a sprayed casserole dish, cover the bottom with a layer of sauce, pour in pasta/ ricotta mixture, a thin layer of sauce, shredded chicken, layer of thinly sliced zucchini, the rest of the sauce, top with 1/4- 1/2 cup cheese!

Bake for 30 minutes. ENJOY! YUM!

You can totally use a jarred sauce, but if you have leftover veggies, this is a great way to use them. I've also used butternut squash and kale in the sauce, which is also super good! Leave out the chicken if you don't eat it- no harm, no fowl!

Now, go forth and use your leftovers, friends!!

xoxo Sam