Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, diced
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- as needed fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, chopped fresh basil, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined and creamy.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Add the drained penne pasta to the creamy tomato basil sauce and toss gently until all the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, as needed, before serving.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
For the Creamy Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, diced
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- as needed fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, chopped fresh basil, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined and creamy.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the drained penne pasta to the creamy tomato basil sauce and toss gently until all the pasta is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, as needed, before serving.
⏱️ 5 min