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Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 112 reviews

Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake is a comforting, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring penne or rigatoni mixed with a creamy tomato sauce, flavored with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, then topped with mozzarella and baked to bubbly perfection. Garnished with fresh basil or parsley, it’s an easy and delicious meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Topping and Garnish

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish later.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne or rigatoni pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly.
  3. Prepare the sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy whipping cream, drained diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Simmer the sauce mixture for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Transfer the drained pasta into a 9×13-inch baking pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the pasta and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  5. Add cheese and bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta. Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the dish is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Finish and garnish: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley on top before serving to add a fresh herbal aroma and flavor.

Notes

  • Use rigatoni for a heartier texture or penne for a slightly smoother bite.
  • Drain the canned diced tomatoes well to avoid an overly watery sauce.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried Italian seasoning when fresh isn’t available.

Keywords: Tomato pasta bake, creamy pasta, baked penne, cheesy pasta casserole, Italian pasta dish, comfort food pasta

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/creamy-tomato-pasta-bake-recipe/