Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe

This Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe is a healthy twist on a traditional favorite.  Adding chickpea and lentil pasta to the dish and eliminating the bread gives you a healthy dose of protein and fiber without sacrificing those delicious flavors.

Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe | Simply Fresh Dinners

Everyone loves an easy strata over the holidays, right?  It’s especially handy when you’ve got a houseful of guests and don’t want to be busy at the stove instead of spending precious family and friend time.

This dish can be prepared the night before and assembled in the morning for an easy and nutritious breakfast.

Chickapea Pasta Strata Recipe | Simply Fresh Dinners

This is another dish that you can get creative with:
  • Use Chickapea Pasta shells, spirals or penne
  • Some red peppers and mushrooms would be delicious with this if that’s your thing
  • You can use sausage, ground chicken or pork or leave it out entirely and have a vegetarian strata
  • Use your favorite cheese if you’re not all about cheddar .  Parmesan would work very well.
  • Use your favorite tomato based sauced – marinara, arrabiata, garlic and basil or totally turn the tables and go alfredo!

Four Easy Steps to Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe | Simply Fresh Dinners

This is why I love to cook because you can let your imagination take over.  It doesn’t need to be precise (most times) and you can discover your creative genius in the kitchen using all your favorite ingredients.

It’s as easy as layering pasta/cheesy beef tomato sauce/more pasta/egg mixture – Presto!  This will be on your breakfast table!

Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe | Simply Fresh Dinners

I have lots of blogger friends who cook with Chickapea Pasta as well and here are some of the healthy dishes being created in their kitchens these days:

Share your holiday and every day creations with me on Instagram by tagging @simplyfreshdinners and using the hashtag #simplyfreshdinners so I can see what you’re doing in your kitchen too.  Cheers!

Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe

This Quick & Easy Pasta Strata Recipe is a healthy twist on a traditional favorite. Adding chickpea and lentil pasta to the dish and eliminating the bread gives you a healthy dose of protein and fiber without sacrificing those delicious flavors.

  • 1 pound Chickapea Pasta (spirals, shells or penne)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (I use Uncle Steve's Italian Sauces)
  • 1 cup fresh parsley/chopped
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped
  • 5 eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 green onions, chopped (or fresh chives)
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F

    Cook pasta al dente.  (a couple minutes less than package instructions)

  2. Heat oil in large pan, saute garlic and onion for 3-4 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.  Add ground beef and cook until browned.

    Drain extra fat from the pan.

  3. Add tomato sauce and half of fresh herbs, and salt and pepper to taste; cooking for 5 minutes before removing from heat.  Add cheese and spinach, mixing well.

  4. Combine eggs, milk, remaining fresh herbs and salt and pepper to taste.

  5. Into a 9 x 11 inch baking dish layer:

    Half of the pasta

    Cheesy Tomato Beef Mixture

    Remaining half of pasta

    Egg Mixture

  6. Bake 45-50 minutes.  Remove and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.  Top with green onions or chives and serve.

  • Use Chickapea Pasta shells, spirals or penne
  • Some red peppers and mushrooms would be delicious with this if that’s your thing
  • You can use sausage, ground chicken or pork or leave it out entirely and have a vegetarian strata
  • Use your favorite cheese if you’re not all about cheddar .  Parmesan would work very well.
  • Use your favorite tomato based sauced – marinara, arrabiata, garlic and basil or totally turn the tables and go alfredo!

Chickpea and lentil pasta in a deliciously healthy strata. Fabulous for the holidays from Simply Fresh Dinners.

21 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
    December 20, 2017 at 8:42 am

    So creative… and delicious! I love Chickapea and know it would be a great addition to a casserole like this — fantastic gluten free alternative!
    Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Mini Shrimp Tostadas with Pomegranate SalsaMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      December 20, 2017 at 9:13 am

      Thanks, MIchelle. Our friend, Kim at Chickapea suggested this yummy dish. I loved making it.
      Your shrimp tostadas are making me so hungry!!!
      Robyn recently posted…Quick & Easy Pasta Strata RecipeMy Profile

  • Reply
    Taylor
    December 20, 2017 at 8:45 am

    Robyn this looks amazing!!! I could totally use something quick and easy like this to throw together over the holidays!

    • Reply
      Robyn
      December 20, 2017 at 9:14 am

      Thanks so much, Taylor. It will keep everyone fed till dinner, lol. The less time we have to spend in the kitchen during the holidays, the better.
      Robyn recently posted…Quick & Easy Pasta Strata RecipeMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mahy
    December 20, 2017 at 9:11 am

    oh what a genius idea!! I love strata’s but never had them with pasta!! And you put two layers of pasta at the bottom and top of your dish–YUM!! Holiday Brunch goals !! 🙂

  • Reply
    Robyn
    December 20, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Kim came up with this idea, Mahy 🙂
    I loved the idea and had fun experimenting to see which way was the most delicious!
    Robyn recently posted…Quick & Easy Pasta Strata RecipeMy Profile

  • Reply
    John/Kitchen Riffs
    December 20, 2017 at 10:49 am

    Wow, this looks SO GOOD! Terrific photos. And the recipe? To die for. 🙂 Thanks! And Happy Holidays!
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Party Snacks and Dips Recipe RoundupMy Profile

  • Reply
    nocrumbsleft
    December 20, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Wow this look absolutely incredible!
    nocrumbsleft recently posted…Spicy Cauliflower SoupMy Profile

  • Reply
    marcie
    December 20, 2017 at 11:26 am

    Robyn you’re so smart to come up with this! I would love a strata with Chickapea Pasta even more than with bread, and I love all of the goodness you’ve packed in here. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for linking up to my gingerbread waffles! 🙂
    marcie recently posted…2017 Flavor the Moments Reader SurveyMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sarah | Well and Full
    December 20, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Would you believe I’ve never made strata?? I need to fix this situation immediately!! Especially with this awesome recipe, I love the vegetarian options! 😀

  • Reply
    Chris Scheuer
    December 20, 2017 at 11:27 am

    What a great idea Robyn, I would have never thought to make a pasta strata! Love all your variations too! I can definitely see this beyond breakfast.
    Chris Scheuer recently posted…Easy Molasses Ginger CookiesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tania Sheff
    December 20, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    This Pasta Strata looks incredible! My mom makes this dish pretty often, but I would love to try your healthier version, Robyn. Will make it this weekend. Thanks!
    Tania Sheff recently posted…Ricotta Crepe CakeMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat
    December 20, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    OMG Robyn! This looks sooooo amazing! I can’t tell you how much I have been dying to try the Chickapea pasta but none of the stores in my area sell it yet! I was hesitant about ordering online because you have to commit to a six-pack; however, at the same time, I can’t imagine I wouldn’t like it enough to make six boxes of it. I think I’m going to go for it! Your many beautiful recipes using this pasta are tempting me! 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and your family!
    Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat recently posted…What’s Going On…My Profile

  • Reply
    Kristen
    December 20, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    What a delicious dish! I’ve never thought to use pasta in strata before but it’s a brilliant idea. We absolutely love Chickapea Pasta and I know it would be perfect in this dish.

  • Reply
    GiGi Eats
    December 20, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Heyyyyy good lookin’ how you doing?! Where’s your favorite place you like to hang out? The kitchen? Oh yeah, me too… So wanna hang out in my kitchen some time? Oh really, well great, what’s your number hot stuff?!
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Let’s Finish Chapter 2017 With Some Goodies!My Profile

  • Reply
    Izzy @ She Likes Food
    December 20, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    I’ve never actually had a strata before but I love the idea of a breakfast casserole that can be made the night before! That’s so awesome that you added the chickpea pasta to this dish! I love it! 🙂

  • Reply
    Diane Wilkins
    December 21, 2017 at 2:37 am

    Just made this on the recommendation of a friend who saw the recipe on your site. It was absolutely delicious – didn’t change a thing!

  • Reply
    Regina
    December 22, 2017 at 1:15 am

    I am a HUGE fan of breakfast casserole for Christmas! But you are taking it to the next level. I know especially my daughter would be over the moon having pasta for breakfast 😀
    Regina recently posted…Healthy Gingerbread Cookies – gluten free, paleo VIDEOMy Profile

  • Reply
    Carla Patterson
    December 29, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    Wow, that’s really quite quick to prepare – thanks a lot for sharing it with us ^^ Seems like I may have find time to prepare something tasty tomorrow, you are saving my day! Cheers

  • Reply
    Daycare Near Stafford VA
    September 26, 2018 at 1:06 am

    Pasta lovers this one is for you 

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