Creamy Tomato Basil Penne Bake
A delicious oven-baked pasta dish combining penne, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh basil, topped with mozzarella cheese for a creamy, filling meal.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz Penne pasta Dry
- 1 can (28 oz) Crushed tomatoes
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
Cheeses
- 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded or thinly sliced
- 0.5 cups Parmesan, grated
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste Add after sauces and cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- In a saucepan, simmer the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, heavy cream, and chopped fresh basil until everything is heated through and the flavors meld together.
- Toss the cooked penne with the creamy tomato sauce, making sure every piece is well-coated. Then, top it generously with mozzarella cheese.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 20-25 minutes.
- Continue baking as necessary until the center is hot and the edges are bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Warm dairy gently and stir until smooth to prevent separation. Keep the pasta slightly firm before baking and reserve some cheese for topping. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat until hot.