Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

4.7
(179)
142 Reviews
42 Photos

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.

Submitted by Julian
Updated on November 13, 2024
42
A casserole dish of creamy pasta bake with cherry tomatoes and basil, with a large serving removed
42
42
42
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
6
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 (6 ounce) cans tomato sauce

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 pinch white sugar

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 ¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1 small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped

Directions

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

    Ingredients to make creamy pasta bake with cherry tomatoes and basil

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

  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.

    A large colander with cooked penne pasta, with a small measuring cup of pasta water

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

  3. 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.

    A large pan with chopped onion and garlic being stirred with a wooden spoon

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

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

    A pan with tomato sauce and tomato paste, with chopped onions and garlic

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

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

    A pan of creamy tomato sauce with salt, pepper, and sugar being stirred in with a wooden spoon

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

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

    A pan of penne pasta in creamy tomato sauce

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

  7. 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.

    A large pan with penne pasta in creamy tomato sauce with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

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

    A baking dish with creamy tomato penne pasta, topped with shredded mozzarella cheese

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga

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

    A casserole dish of creamy pasta bake with cherry tomatoes and basil, with a large serving removed

    AllRecipes / Diana Chistruga
388 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

532 Calories
21g Fat
68g Carbs
21g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 532
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 11g 56%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 780mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 68g 25%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 21g 43%
Vitamin C 25mg 28%
Calcium 334mg 26%
Iron 4mg 22%
Potassium 753mg 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.