Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
A delicious creamy pasta bake featuring penne, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Pasta and Base Ingredients
- 1 package 16 ounce package penne pasta About 4 cups
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing
- 1 large onion, finely chopped For flavor base
- 3 cloves garlic, minced To enhance flavor
- 3 cans 6 ounce cans tomato sauce For the sauce base
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste To thicken the sauce
- 0.75 cup heavy whipping cream For creaminess
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese For flavor
- 1 pinch white sugar To balance acidity
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper For seasoning
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved For sweetness and freshness
Cheeses and Herbs
- 1.25 cups shredded mozzarella cheese For topping and flavor
- 1 small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped For fresh flavor and garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a suitable baking dish.
- Boil a large pot of lightly salted water, add the penne pasta, and cook for about 11 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
Cooking the Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Incorporate the tomato sauce and tomato paste, cooking for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, seasoning with sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Gradually mix in reserved pasta water and fold in cooked penne, halved cherry tomatoes, half the mozzarella cheese, and basil.
Baking
- Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with extra basil. Pair with a green salad or garlic bread.
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Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of cream to restore creaminess. For vegan options, replace cream and cheese.