Spaghetti Veggie Casserole

3 tbsp salted butter

1# spaghetti, broken into 2" pieces (instead of breaking, I recommend cooking the using a knife to chop it)

1 green bell pepper, diced

1/2 yellow onion, diced

8oz cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2" pieces

1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 pint cherry tomatoes

3 c loosely packed baby spinach

1/2 c dry sherry

1/2 c heavy cream

2 10oz cans cream of mushroom soup

1 4oz jar diced pimentos, drained

1 1/2 c grated sharp cheddar cheese (6oz)

1 1/2 c grated fontina cheese (6oz)

1 tsp seasoned salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 c vegetable broth

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a 9x13" baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2-3 minutes. 

Add the mushrooms, zucchini, and thyme and continue to cook until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. 

Reduce the heat to med low and add the garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes burst and turn jammy, 5-6 minutes. 

Add spinach and stir just until wilted. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl of spaghetti.

Add the sherry to the drippings in the skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, scraping up any browned bits, about 30 seconds. Add the heavy cream and simmer for another 30 seconds. Pour into the bowl with the spaghetti and vegetables. Add the cream of mushroom soup, pimentos, 1 cup cheddar and 1 cup fontina, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, and vegetable broth. Stir until well combined.

Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2 cup fontina. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, 40-45 minutes. Let sit 10-15 minutes before serving.