Retro Casserole and Windowsill Roses

It was rainy and cool the other day and I had a craving for casserole. My mom used to make some awesome casseroles when I was a kid but I haven't really made any as an adult and this is my first of the pasta-bake variety aside from the usual mac and cheese. I was so excited to finally use this casserole dish!

I knew I wanted this to be a one pot meal and it was raining so I got to use some ingredients that I had on hand.

I mixed kamut pasta with canned tomatoes, sauteed onion and garlic, greens, adzuki beans, olives, tahini and a little bit of nooch. I stuck it in the oven and hoped for the best.

Less than an hour later I had this cozy dish. I love a one dish meal. It reminded me so much of a casserole my mom would make (in the 80s ;)

It was even better cold the next day with some sriracha!

Bonus picture of my gorgeous windowsill roses! (I got them in May and they've been blooming and bringing beauty to my day all summer.

Sending love and good wishes to you, wherever you are!

Xo Elyse


Tomatoes and Greens Pasta Bake

2 cups kamut pasta (I used rotini)
2 small onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced/smushed
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 kalamata olives, chopped
1/2 c tahini, divided
1/4 c nooch, more for sprinkling on top
1/2 bunch of greens, stems removed, roughly chopped (I used swiss chard... next time kale)
1 can whole tomatoes, including liquid (I might try this with fresh tomatoes next time)
1 can of beans (I used Eden brand adzuki beans

Directions --
Preheat oven to 350F

Cook pasta according to package directions. When finished, drain and rinse under cold water.
While the pasta is cooking sautee the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes in a little oil and pinch of sea salt.

Mix all of the ingredients together, reserving some of the olives and 1/4 tahini for topping. Taste for salt and pepper, or throw in whatever spices you want!

Pour into casserole dish. Drizzle with remaining tahini and sprinkle with nooch.

Bake at 350 for 30min covered with tinfoil. I stuck it back in the oven for a few minutes without the tinfoil before letting it cool slightly and serving.