Description
This Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is the ultimate comfort food. With a velvety cream sauce, juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil, this dish is cozy yet refreshing. It’s easy to make, ready in under an hour, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half/Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (or spinach/arugula)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, saving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Roast the Tomatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 15 minutes until they burst.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic. Stir in cream and let simmer. Add Parmesan and stir until smooth. Thin with pasta water if needed.
- Combine: Add pasta to the sauce. Toss well. Stir in roasted tomatoes and fresh basil.
- Assemble: Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with more basil and Parmesan before serving warm.
Notes
Make ahead by assembling the dish without baking and refrigerating for up to 24 hours. For protein, add cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp. Leftovers store well in the fridge for 3 days and can be reheated with a splash of milk for creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4th of dish)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 65mg