Roasted Vegetable Pasta

This one is again dedicated to my friend Sathya, who inspired me to make Bread Salad in Mustard Dressing. I've always loved pasta, but I mostly make it using the simple basic method - Cook pasta, stir in sauce and eat. Sometimes, you itch to go beyond the normal ways... especially when you have time and more importantly, are feeling over-the-top indulgent! Sathya, had sent this recipe about three years ago and it sat in my archives until one day I was in a good mood to bake up something savory...and I dug this luscious pasta dish. I told her I was going to make it and that I would call her when I taste it, but she sat waiting for my call while I was busy hogging...Try it and you will know why!

Ingredients
1 Cup - Cooked Pasta (You can choose to cook the pasta to about 75% al dente since it will get cooked fully in the oven)
3/4 Cup - Marinara Sauce (Or any other Tomato based Pasta Sauce of your choice)
1 Cup - Chopped vegetables of your choice (I've used broccoli, carrots, red onions and sun-dried tomatoes)
1 Cup - Shredded cheddar cheese (I suggest you use Mozzarella instead since it pairs much better with all things Italian. I did not have it on hand so I ended up using cheddar)
4 Tsp - Olive Oil
1 Tsp - Chilly powder (Optional. I like a little heat action in almost every thing savory!)
And, of course, some salt to taste!

Method
- Preheat oven to 250F. Spray some oil over a oven-safe dish and place the chopped vegetables on it. Drizzle 1 tsp of olive oil and some salt and place in oven to roast.
- Once the vegetables are roasted (crisp) remove them from the oven and set aside (Let your oven remain on! We've got more to do in there!)
- Heat the remaining olive oil in a saucepan
- Add the pasta sauce and allow to heat on a medium flame, stirring occasionally.
- Once sauce is hot, toss in the cooked pasta and stir until all of it is covered in the sauce
- Turn off the flame, and add the roasted vegetables
- Transfer this entire mixture back onto your oven-safe dish and spread it evenly
- Top up with cheese and place dish back into oven
- Allow to bake until the cheese melts and the pasta is fully cooked
- Serve hot

SERVES 2