Description
This Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious baked pasta dish featuring al dente penne pasta baked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce made with marinara, diced tomatoes, and heavy cream. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh basil, it delivers a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and cheesy flavors ideal for family dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound penne (or rigatoni)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (or pasta sauce)
- 14.5 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes, drained (1 can)
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves (or chopped fresh parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish later.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the penne pasta until it is al dente according to the package instructions, then drain well.
- Prepare Sauce: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until tender and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy whipping cream, drained diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce; then simmer the mixture for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to a 9x13 inch baking pan. Pour the hot sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the sauced pasta. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dish is hot throughout and cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving to add a fresh herbal flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.
- Feel free to substitute part of the mozzarella with Parmesan for a sharper cheese flavor.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked when ready to serve.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- If fresh basil is unavailable, dried basil or fresh parsley works well as a substitute.