Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

This creamy pasta bake is easy to make with penne, cherry tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, and mozzarella for a comforting weeknight vegetarian pasta dish.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 532 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Stir in tomato sauce and tomato paste and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper.

Step 7

Stir some of the reserved pasta water into sauce and add cooked penne.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Pour penne mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with remaining mozzarella cheese.