Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

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.

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

Ingredients

• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 pinch white sugar
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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 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. 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.

Step 5

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.