Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

Name: Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 (6 ounce) cans tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 0.75 cup heavy whipping cream; 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 pinch white sugar; salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved; 1.25 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped

4.7

(164)

129 Reviews

40 Photos

This creamy pasta bake is one of my favorite midweek pasta dishes. My whole family loves it, and there is not much prep. Once the pasta bake is in the oven, you can make a salad or set the table, and then it's time to eat.

Recipe by Julian

Updated on August 23, 2022

40

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hrs 5 mins

Servings:

6

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 (6 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pinch white sugar
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion in oil until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Stir in tomato sauce and tomato paste and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Add cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper.
Stir some of the reserved pasta water into sauce and add cooked penne. Remove from the heat and stir in cherry tomatoes, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and basil. Add more pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. Pour penne mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

532	Calories
21g	Fat
68g	Carbs
21g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 532
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g	27%
Saturated Fat 11g	56%
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 780mg	34%
Total Carbohydrate 68g	25%
Dietary Fiber 5g	19%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 25mg	127%
Calcium 334mg	26%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 753mg	16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.