Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
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, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375°F - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped 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 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and fresh chopped basil until well combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce in the Dutch oven or skillet. Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated and the cheeses are melted.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375°F - 9
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set and makes for easier serving.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
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, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375°F - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped 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 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and fresh chopped basil until well combined.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce in the Dutch oven or skillet. Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated and the cheeses are melted.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375°F - 9
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set and makes for easier serving.
⏱️ 10 min