Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta Bake

I think this is originally a Delia Smith recipe, but my mum has been cooking it for so long that she has made her own little tweaks. This is one of my favourites, and one that I always ask my mum to cook for me when I make a trip home. It does take a while to make, but the recipe itself isn't difficult to follow, and it is absolutely perfect for a big dinner party (served with a leafy green salad and garlic bread) as you can make it well in advance, put it in the fridge, then shove it in the oven while you entertain your guests! Major hostess points right there.

To serve 4-6, you will need:

• Mediterranean vegetables (we use 2 courgettes, 1 aubergine, 1 large onion, 1 red pepper, 3/4 tomatoes 1 yellow pepper, 3 garlic cloves)
• Olive oil
• 50g mozzarella
• 100g Parmesan
• A pint of milk (semi-skimmed is best)
• 40g plain flour
• 40g butter
• Cayenne pepper
• Nutmeg
• 175g uncooked rigatoni pasta

Step 1: The vegetables. 

Chop them all into fairly large chunks and lay out on an oil baking tray. Drizzle some olive oil over them, and crush the garlic cloves onto the vegetables. Put them into the oven at around 200 degrees until cooked. This should take about 30 minutes, and I find it best to turn the vegetables over after about 20 minutes. Once they are done, transfer them to a big mixing bowl.

Step 2: The cheese sauce.
Put the milk, butter and flour into a small, heavy-based saucepan, and add a twist of cayenne pepper. Gently heat the mixture, whisking all the time. Once it is thick, smooth and shiny (this should take around 5 minutes), grate in 50g of the parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper and a little bit of nutmeg. Make sure you keep tasting it to see what it needs. Once you're happy, take it off the heat and leave to cool a little. A skin will form, but that is fine!

Step 3: the pasta.

Weigh it out, and put into a saucepan of salted boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes. It will still be very al dente at this point, but do not be tempted to leave it in any longer - it will continue to cook in the oven - promise!

Step 4: Mix it all together!

Step 5: Assembly.

Put 1/3 of the mixture into a big, ovenproof dish. Sprinkle over half of the mozzarella. Repeat this, then put the final 1/3 of the pasta mixture in, and sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top.

Step 6: Cook it.

When you're ready to cook it, put it in the oven at around 200 degrees for 35 minutes, or until crunchy and golden on top. 

Step 7: Celebrate being that little bit more successful than Bridget Jones. It's the small things...