Spicy Sweet Potato and Kale Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 3 cups cubed peeled sweet potato (1-inch pieces)
• 2 cloves garlic
• minced
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 3 cups Barilla Whole Grain Penne
• uncooked
• 8 cups chopped stemmed fresh kale
• 4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
• divided

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine first 3 ingredients in 13x9-inch baking dish.
3. Bake 20 min.
4. or until potato is tender.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding kale to the boiling water for the last 2 min.
6. Drain pasta mixture, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
7. Return pasta mixture and reserved water to pan.
8. Add cream cheese and stir until completely melted and sauce is well blended.
9. Add to potato mixture in baking dish along with 1 cup shredded cheese; mix lightly.
10. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
11. Bake 15 min.
12. or until heated through.