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
HOMECOOKIN Slow Cooker, Extra Large 10 Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cookers with Timer
Ninja Air Fryer with Air Crisp | 5 QT Capacity fits up to 4lbs of Fries | 4-in-1 Pro
Instant Pot 6QT VORTEX Plus Air Fryer, 6-in-1
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle, Dough Hook, Splash Guard w/ Pour Spout, White Linen, SM-50NAS, Manual
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.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!
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.