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Tex-Mex Plant-Based Protein Pasta Bake
Spicy
Easy Prep
Veggie
Tex-Mex Plant-Based Protein Pasta Bake

with Mexican Cheese Blend, Green Pepper & Scallions

5 min
Difficulty: 1/3

Dinner comes together in a snap thanks to this throw-it-all-together Southwestern-spiced pasta bake that stars hearty, spicy plant-based protein. A blend of Mexican-style cheeses melts together with cream cheese for a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to twisty cavatappi, creating a hearty, gooey landing for a topping of Monterey Jack (that’s right, even more cheese—don’t say we didn’t warn you!) and a crisp, zingy sprinkle of scallion greens.

Allergens

Wheat
Milk

Utensils

Large Pan
Large Bowl
Strainer
Large Pot
Slotted Spoon
Baking Dish

Tags

Oven Ready
Spicy
Easy Prep
Veggie
Protein Smart
Ingredients
Cavatappi Pasta

Cavatappi Pasta

6 ounce

Cream Cheese

Cream Cheese

2 tablespoon

Tex-Mex Ground Plant-Based Protein

Tex-Mex Ground Plant-Based Protein

8 ounce

Long Green Pepper

Long Green Pepper

1 unit

Monterey Jack Cheese

Monterey Jack Cheese

0.25 cup

Scallions

Scallions

2 unit

Mexican Cheese Blend

Mexican Cheese Blend

0.5 cup

Cooking Oil

Cooking Oil

1 teaspoon (tsp)

Salt

Salt

teaspoon (tsp)

Preparation
1
COOK PASTA

  • Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

  • Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain.

2
PREP

  • While pasta cooks, core and dice green pepper into ½-inch pieces. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.

3
COOK PLANT-BASED PROTEIN

  • Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add green pepper and scallion whites; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 3-4 minutes. 

  • Add plant-based protein and cook, stirring, until veggies are browned, 2-3 minutes more. TIP: If plant-based protein starts popping, cover pan with a lid.

4
ASSEMBLE PASTA BAKE

  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer plant-based protein mixture to a large bowl. Add cream cheese, Mexican cheese blend, and ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water (½ cup for 4 servings); toss to combine. 

  • Add drained cavatappi to bowl; toss to evenly coat. TIP: If needed, stir in more pasta cooking water a splash at a time until everything is coated in a creamy sauce. 

5
BAKE PASTA BAKE

  • Transfer pasta mixture to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish (9-by-13-inch baking dish for 4 servings); evenly sprinkle with Monterey Jack.

  • Bake on top rack until cheese melts and sauce is bubbling, 3-5 minutes.

6
SERVE

  • Top pasta bake with scallion greens. Divide between plates or serve family style directly from dish.

Nutrition per serving

810

kcal

Calories

39

g

Fat

12

g

Saturated Fat

76

g

Carbohydrate

11

g

Sugar

8

g

Dietary Fiber

38

g

Protein

50

mg

Cholesterol

1310

mg

Sodium

with Mexican Cheese Blend, Monterey Jack & Scallions

5 min 1/3
Spicy
Easy Prep
Easy Cleanup
New
Protein Smart
Plant-Based Protein

with Mexican Cheese Blend, Monterey Jack & Scallions

5 min 1/3
Spicy
Easy Prep
Veggie
Protein Smart
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