We suggest you do this in stages, slowly, and go as far as works for your family, here’s how your final recipe might come together…

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 190C/gas 5.

2. Cook the meat/veggie alternative (if using) according to pack instructions (usually just a case of frying in a little oil until browned and cooked all the way through).

3. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, but cooking for 1-2 mins less (usually just boiling for 8 mins or so) then drain.

4. Add pasta to a casserole dish along with the meat (if using) and 1 tin of beans or lentils (butter/cannellini/kidney beans or green lentils are especially great here) and sauce, any frozen veg or cooked fresh veg (or leftover ones!), stir well and top with some grated cheese. Bake in the oven for 20-30 mins, until cheese is golden and sauce is bubbling.

5. If you are using fresh veg, try to cook it first (perhaps with the meat if you are cooking some) until it is softened. Great choices are: diced carrots, celery and/or onion, sliced mushrooms, sliced peppers, diced sweet potato or squash, diced aubergine or courgette… Alternatively, you could stir through some fresh leafy greens like spinach or kale with the sauce before baking!

6. If using frozen veg, you can usually get away with just chucking it in before stirring and baking! Try: peas, sweetcorn, mixed veg, Mediterranean veg, sliced carrots, sliced peppers, sliced mushrooms, shredded cabbage, green beans, broad/edamame beans, diced sweet potato or squash, broccoli florets (defrost these first as they might take longer to cook otherwise)…

*You don’t need to add meat/fish or a veggie alternative to a pasta bake, but if you want to, you can use most here – perhaps try starting with chicken breast pieces, a few sausages chopped into bite-size pieces, a tin of tuna or sardines, or some beef or veggie mince