Gloria Harper
@airolgha
Creamy Cherry Tomato and Basil Pasta Bake
This creamy pasta bake combines the rich flavors of cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a blend of cheeses, creating a comforting and delicious dish perfect for any occasion. It's easy to prepare and sure to please both family and friends!
Details
- Cuisine:italian
- Diet:vegetarian
- Difficulty:hard
- Estimated Cost:N/A
- Occasion:bbq
- Ingredients:14
- Views:5
Recipe Information
- Prep time25 min.
- Cook time45 min.
- Total time70 min.
- Servings6
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package
- 1 tablespoon
- 1
- 3 cloves
- 3 (6 ounce) cans
- 2 tablespoons
- 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup
- 1 pinch
- to taste
- to taste
- 1 pound
- 1 1/4 cups
- 1 small bunch
Cooking Instructions
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Creamy Cherry Tomato and Basil Pasta Bake.
Step 1
Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) and generously greasing a baking dish to ensure a perfect release.
Step 2
In a large pot, bring lightly salted water to a vigorous boil, then introduce the penne pasta.
Step 3
Cook it according to the package instructions until it reaches that delightful al dente texture, which should take around 11 minutes.
Step 4
Once cooked, drain the pasta, but don’t forget to reserve a cup of that flavorful cooking water.
Step 5
In a spacious skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat.
Step 6
Toss in the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes.
Step 7
Add the minced garlic and let it mingle for an additional 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic charm.
Step 8
Next, pour in the tomato sauce and tomato paste, allowing them to simmer until slightly reduced, roughly 5 minutes.
Step 9
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, then season the sauce with a pinch of sugar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavors.
Step 10
To achieve your desired sauce consistency, mix in some of the reserved pasta water, then gently fold in the cooked penne pasta.
Step 11
Remove the skillet from the heat and incorporate the halved cherry tomatoes, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and the fragrant chopped basil.
Step 12
If the sauce needs a little more moisture, add more pasta water until it’s just right.
Step 13
Transfer this delicious pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish and crown it with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Step 14
Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the dish is bubbling and the cheese has melted into a golden, gooey masterpiece.
Step 15
Enjoy the delightful aroma as it fills your kitchen, signaling that a comforting meal is on the way!.