Cheeseless Pasta Bake

on July 11, 2010

Itâ€™s raining, itâ€™s pouring!

I am very nearly snor-ring!

I am so excited to crawl in bed today (with Husband, heâ€™s back from vacation) and sleep! I donâ€™t know if it was my killer run and No More Trouble Zones or just the busy weekend, but Iâ€™m pooped.

But first â€“ I finally created a new recipe!

Cheeseless Pasta Bake

Sometimes itâ€™s hard to come up with casseroles that donâ€™t involve cheese (which the Husband doesnâ€™t eat anymore). He will, however, eat hummus and eggs, which when combined, create a yummy, creamy, cheese-like affect.

Ingredients (for three servings):

2 cups cooked whole wheat pasta, boiled per package directions and drained
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup hummus (I used a white bean hummus)
1/4 red pepper, chopped thinly
10 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
1 large handful of grape tomatoes, chopped
1/4 tablespoon pepper
Sprinkle of salt
Pasta sauce to top

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease three small ramekins.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for pasta sauce.
Pour mix evenly into ramekins and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until egg is firm.
Remove from oven and drizzle with pasta sauce.
Enjoy!

It was great with roasted broccoli!

In other newsâ€¦ I cannot stop eating cinnamon chip bread. Make it stop! My hand keeps going into the bag and munching on slices.

Coming up this week on Healthy Tipping Point:

A summary of your suggestions for getting over an exercise hump or a healthy eating slump.
I discovered the reason Iâ€™ve been in a running slump thanks to your comments! Will reveal soon. 🙂
A fun and motivational reader Healthy Tipping Point story!
Another Athenos feta giveaway.
New decorating and design pictures.
My thoughts on the biggest day of my life â€“ August 3, 2010, which is when the Operation Beautiful book will be released! Itâ€™s available for pre-sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble,Borders, and Indie Bound, if youâ€™re interested in getting your copy ASAP!

Sweet dreams, bloggies!

{ 65 comments }

Heather @ Side of Sneakers July 11, 2010, 8:15 pm
Ahhh what a GREAT cheese substitute!!
Mindy July 11, 2010, 8:21 pm
Oh, I will definitely be trying that soon! Yum!

Sounds like some great posts coming up…can’t wait!
Cynthia (It All Changes) July 11, 2010, 8:24 pm
That is perfect! I’m not supposed to eat dairy but the hummus and egg combo is perfect!
Evan Thomas July 11, 2010, 8:25 pm
Please send the rain to New England. It’s been humid as hell and was supposed to pour all weekend but we only got 30 minutes-worth 🙁
Matt July 11, 2010, 8:28 pm
eat THE CHIP…. it must feeeeeeeeed…
- Caitlin July 11, 2010, 8:31 pm
  Don’t lie to me, Matt! Tell it to me straight. How unhealthy is the whole wheat cinnachip?
  - Matt July 11, 2010, 8:42 pm
    http://greatharvestcharlotte.com/nutrition/wwcnc.shtml
    - Caitlin July 11, 2010, 8:44 pm
      Sweeeeeeeet!!
Rosey Rebecca July 11, 2010, 8:28 pm
Your pasta bake looks so good! Can’t wait to read all the upcoming posts! Have a great night!
Katie July 11, 2010, 8:29 pm
mmmmm! I’m “trying” to eat less dairy, but giving up cheese is ROUGH! I’ll definitely have to try this out!
Matt July 11, 2010, 8:29 pm
oops, pressed submit before i was done…

Looks like you got the whole wheat version this time? I like it a lot more. Makes a great AB&J!
Alyssa July 11, 2010, 8:32 pm
That bake looks so good!

I know this is random, but I love, love, love your blog 🙂 I love the mix of food/healthy eating/lifestyle discussion. I love how open and honest you are and look forward every day to reading it. It makes me feel like I’m not the only who deals with things like negative self-talk, fat talk, etc. and it helps to hear the ways you combat it, it helps my irrational thinking a little bit. Just thought I’d let you know 🙂

I’m definitely looking forward to your posts this week 🙂 The look-ahead makes me excited for what’s to come.
- Jen July 12, 2010, 12:34 am
  alyssa, you aren’t irrational! sometimes i find myself thinking the same thing but just know that someone else out there probably has similar thoughts 🙂
  - caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:21 am
    i’m so glad that being part of the blog community helps you. it means a lot to me to hear you say that!
    - Karen July 12, 2010, 1:47 pm
      I feel exactly the same way – the Operation Beautiful site struck a major chord with me when I first came across it, because I’m so guilty of fat-talk. I feel like whenever I have a bad day, my first reaction is to blame it on something I perceive to be ‘wrong’ with my appearance, when really it’s because of outside factors. Even though it’s really hard to completely stop thinking in that way, it’s so great to be able to catch myself in the process of talking down to myself and realise what I’m doing. I’m excited for the book to come out! I’m also looking forward to reading about how to get over an exercise/eating slump – I moved home a week ago because I just graduated from university, and now that I can’t go to the gym or exercise classes I feel like I have no motivation. Can’t wait for some tips!
    - Caitlin July 12, 2010, 1:57 pm
      Karen – I think the most important goal is to acknowledge when you fat talk and why rather than strive to completely eliminate it without necessarily getting deeper into the why. does that make sense? i hope it helps!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is July 11, 2010, 8:33 pm
I think I would add some nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor and LOVE that!
Estela @ Weekly Bite July 11, 2010, 8:36 pm
I’ve never combined hummus and eggs! I can’t wait to try it!
Leah @ L4L July 11, 2010, 8:36 pm
Yum! That sounds good!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing July 11, 2010, 8:47 pm
That looks SO GOOD. And girl, I’d be addicted to that bread too.
Julie @ Pickley Pear July 11, 2010, 8:48 pm
I love the pasta bake. I love cheese though! Sometimes I eat too much of it, so this is a great alternative. Looking forward to this week’s posts!
Courtney @ Three Months July 11, 2010, 8:50 pm
Please please please send some of that cinnamon chip bread up to D.C.! Looks delish – and so does your cheeseless pasta dish!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day (Formally A La Mode) July 11, 2010, 8:52 pm
The pasta looks delish! Thanks for sharing the recipe…if only you could share the rain as well!
Ilene July 11, 2010, 8:53 pm
Is the husband vegan but eats eggs? Your recipes look so delicious!
- caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:21 am
  he’s 90% vegan, i’d say. he’s eaten cheese in a pinch and will eat eggs a few times a month.
Shannon July 11, 2010, 8:55 pm
Also at Chapters, which is a Canadian bookstore chain.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Operation-Beautiful-Caitlin-Boyle/9781592405824-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%27operation+beautiful%27
- caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:22 am
  Wahoo!! 🙂 thank you!
Courtney July 11, 2010, 8:59 pm
When I make pasta bakes, I’ve been pouring the “cheeze sauce” made from nutritional yeast from Emily’s site (thefrontburner). It’s the best recipe I’ve found to date. My family prefers it over regular cheese – and it’s so so easy!
Jo July 11, 2010, 9:13 pm
mmmm this looks yum. great recipe
Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) July 11, 2010, 9:17 pm
you cant stop eating cinnamon raisin bread… and i cant stop eating ezekiel cinnamon raisin bread. there’s crack in that cinnamon.
Lisa (bakebikeblog) July 11, 2010, 9:17 pm
oooh what a busy week you have coming up on your blog!!!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter July 11, 2010, 9:17 pm
Can’t wait to see all of your posts next week!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 11, 2010, 9:18 pm
Isn’t hummus the best creation in the whole world (next to cinnamon chip bread)! I love making potato salad with it! So much flavor and creaminess…perfect! Dinner looks delicious!
a July 11, 2010, 9:21 pm
Envious of the cinn a chip bread.

Hummus saves anything !
Liz @ Tip Top Shape July 11, 2010, 9:24 pm
Hmm, I need to try that hummus and egg combo. I’m sure it’s good. I mean, how can it involve hummus and not be??
Jennifer July 11, 2010, 9:33 pm
I also don’t eat dairy but have found wonderful things can be made with nutritional yeast. It has a very cheesy flavor and can be mixed with lots of stuff to make cheese-y tasting sauces and such. I was hesitant to use it at first, but am SO glad that I dove right in. It’s now a mainstay in our house! I mix nutritional yeast with hummus and water to use in place of cheese on the pizzas that we make at home. It can also make a pretty good mac and “cheese.” I get it in the bulk bins at my local grocery store. Definitely worth trying out.
And I must say that I am SO jealous of all of the wonderful bread you’ve been munching on lately! It looks awesome!
Carly (Swim, Run, Om) July 11, 2010, 9:39 pm
Isn’t the husband vegan? Or is he still getting to that point? I can imagine it would be really tough to go vegan “cold turkey”!

I would have never thought of mixing egg and hummus. Definitely going to be trying this recipe … maybe next weekend!
- caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:24 am
  He eats eggs occasionally still. I don’t think he feels confined by the label, which I use more for blog purposes than he uses in real life.
*Andrea* July 11, 2010, 9:52 pm
love your easy recipes!!!! simple ingredients which i can totally recreate. amazing 🙂 i never thought of hummus/egg. i do LOVE the hummus/nutritional yeast combo though!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 11, 2010, 9:59 pm
That actually looks like cheese!!! It looks good!!

I already pre-ordered my copy of your book – I am very excited!!!
Vicki M. July 11, 2010, 10:01 pm
Caitlin! I totally did the race of your dreams today. It was a 15K with AMAZING crowd support (think popsicles, dancing, drummers, bands, and bagpipes) along the entire race route, everyone from elite runners (olympians and boston winners) to those who just did it to challenge themselves (me!). The best part- it’s a beer run! It ends at the Saranac Brewing Company and there is all you can drink free beer for the runners.

I thought of you – and operation beautiful many times as I ran. Thanks for the inspiration.
- caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:26 am
  Um that is the race of my dreams! I hope you had fun!
Jessica @ Jessica Balances July 11, 2010, 10:41 pm
How exciting that your book comes out so soon!!! 🙂 Also can’t wait to hear about why you’re in your “slump” although it seems like you’ve been kicking booty and taking names with your speedy runs + NMTZ action lately!
Amber K @ sparkpeople July 11, 2010, 10:42 pm
Wow, what a neat idea! I am definitely going to have to try that casserole.
Sarah July 11, 2010, 10:54 pm
If I pre-order on Amazon will it ship on August 3rd or show up then? How exciting!
- caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:26 am
  I think it ships Aug 3 then.
Katie @ peacebeme July 11, 2010, 11:03 pm
Can’t wait for all these topics this week!

I am curious sometimes as to why your husband is a vegetarian/almost vegan…
Chelsey July 11, 2010, 11:07 pm
ooooo! I need to make that pasta bake! I made your quinoa casserole a while back, and loved how the hummus/egg combo made a “cheeselike” substance – delish!
Elise July 11, 2010, 11:15 pm
This recipe looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it out, and I’m so excited its dairy free – i need not make any alterations!
Candice July 12, 2010, 12:51 am
Awesome recipe! I think I might have to give it a try:)

You have such an exciting few weeks coming up – I’m so happy for you! I can’t believe it’s almost time for your book to come out…time flies!
Jess @ NZ Girl Runs July 12, 2010, 12:56 am
To create a creamy sauce I use 3T of butter substitute (olive oil spread usually) and 1/3 of a cup of flour to a hotish pan. Wisk and reduce a little and add 500ml of stock. I use chicken, but veg stock would be fine. It makes a lot and my partner can’t belive it is dairy free!
Camille July 12, 2010, 12:57 am
I do the same thing with bread. I have started just freezing it all immediately so I can’t munch on it!
- caitlin July 12, 2010, 8:27 am
  I threw the cinnachip in the freezer yesterday. It was bad news!
Paula July 12, 2010, 1:50 am
Omg, I wish I could get my hands on that Great Harvest bread in CA. It always looks SO good!
Kellie July 12, 2010, 1:54 am
I love telling yourself it is OK to be uncomfortable. That is what I tell myself too. It sounds silly, but I like the feeling where I think I might be sick, because I know I am really pushing myself to my limits. The sense of accomplishment when you are done is an amazing high.
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs July 12, 2010, 2:51 am
Oooh Aug3rd is so soon, you must be super excited!
I don’t blame you re that bread – it sounds SO delicious! Kath & Matt should bring Great Harvest to the UK 😀
Stacey @ Tipping the (Kitchen!) Scales July 12, 2010, 4:16 am
Yeah, I think my hand would keep going back for more of that bread to so I can relate!! It sounds like you have some good posts coming up, I can’t wait to read more.
Britney July 12, 2010, 6:57 am
That pasta bake looks delicious! I might try a variation on it with some of the veggies I get in my CSA this week!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie July 12, 2010, 7:38 am
I’ve used hummus to sub for cheese many times and it’s perfect! Even on top of vegan pizza! Gotta love it. This is such a great idea for a pasta!
Heather (heather's dish) July 12, 2010, 8:10 am
is there anything that doesn’t go with roasted broccoli? i love that stuff and could seriously eat it every day!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman July 12, 2010, 8:19 am
Never in a million years would I have combined hummus and egg in pasta, but now that you mention it, it does sound good. Thanks for the idea!
Gracie @ Girl Meets Health July 12, 2010, 8:29 am
The hummus + egg combination is brilliant! I eat cheese, but I’d love to give that a try. Baby steps towards becoming a more ethical/informed eater, right? 😉

I can’t believe the book release is so soon…! I can’t imagine how excited/proud/accomplished you must feel. You seriously inspire me!
RhodeyGirl July 12, 2010, 8:49 am
Excited for this week’s posts!!!!!!!!!!!
Wei-Wei July 12, 2010, 10:07 am
I don’t know if I said it already, and maybe others have said the same, but maybe your running slump was because you were training for biking and not running? When our bodies get used to one sort of activity they become more efficient at it. So… can’t wait to read all these wonderful posts! 🙂

Wei-Wei
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) July 12, 2010, 6:20 pm
That pasta bake looks amazing. I’m so jealous of that cinnachip bread, it looks delish!!!

Jenn

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