Wheat-Free Summer Pasta Bake with Zucchini & Lemon

Baked pasta gets fresh with equal parts noodles and zucchini, but it still has a thick topping of cheesy and garlicky crumbs. This dish freezes well and makes for comforting leftovers. 

What You Get

Gluten-free fusilli pasta

Zucchini 

Green onions 

Garlic 

Thyme 

Lemon 

Wheat-free cheese sauce

Gluten-free panko bread crumbs 

Grated Parmesan cheese 

What You’ll Need

Salt and freshly ground pepper 

Olive oil 

Chile flakes (optional) 

Step 1 

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set out a casserole dish (9 by 13 inches). Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes or 1 minute less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2 

Meanwhile, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and slice crosswise. Slice about ¾ cup of the green parts of the green onions, reserving the rest for another use. Chop 2 cloves of garlic. Pick the thyme, toss the stems, and chop about 1 tablespoon of the leaves. 

Step 3 

In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the zucchini, season with salt, and sauté until browned and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add a pinch of chile flakes, if you want some heat, and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Transfer to the casserole dish. 

Step 4

Add the cooked pasta, green onions, thyme, and the juice of the lemon to the casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. 

Step 5 

Return the frying pan to low heat. Add the cheese sauce and stir until loose and warm, 1 minute. Pour the warm cheese sauce over everything in the casserole dish, and stir to coat.  

Step 6 

In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup panko, the Parmesan, the garlic, and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season with salt. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the zucchini pasta. Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake until bubbling and golden, 15 minutes. 

Step 7 

Scoop the casserole onto plates, grind with pepper, and serve warm.

Contains: milk, eggs.