Description
A comforting and flavorful creamy pasta bake featuring tender penne pasta combined with a rich tomato and cream sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16-ounce) package penne pasta
Sauce
- 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, to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish to prepare for baking the pasta.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until tender but still firm, about 11 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the finely chopped onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release the aroma.
- Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Allow the mixture to cook and reduce slightly over about 5 minutes to intensify flavors.
- Make It Creamy: Add the heavy whipping cream and grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Season with a pinch of white sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients into a creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gradually stir the reserved pasta water into the sauce to achieve your desired consistency. Add the cooked penne to the sauce and mix thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Finish the Dish: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and the finely chopped fresh basil. Adjust the sauce consistency with more pasta water if needed.
- Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the pasta bake to cool slightly before serving. This will help the dish set for easier portioning and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps in adjusting sauce consistency and binding the sauce to the pasta.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some red pepper flakes in the sauce while cooking.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though it will be less creamy.
- Fresh basil added at the end preserves its delicate aroma and flavor.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
