Cheesy Baked Penne

Dive into comfort food heaven with this Cheesy Baked Penne, a family-friendly classic that combines tender penne pasta, a rich tomato-basil cream sauce, and layers of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This baked pasta dish is packed with flavor, from the garlicky tomato base to the melted, golden-brown cheesy topping that’s irresistibly satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare with simple pantry staples and fresh herbs, and it’s ready to serve in just an hour. Garnished with fresh basil, it’s a hearty and flavorful meal that will delight pasta and cheese lovers alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves
• 800 grams Crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 10 pieces Fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 200 grams Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 250 milliliters Heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Add the fresh basil leaves to the tomato sauce, tearing them into smaller pieces as you stir them in.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce is well combined and slightly thickened.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.

Step 8

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with the remaining tablespoon of butter.

Step 9

Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over the pasta.

Step 10

Layer the remaining pasta on top and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.

Step 11

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 13

Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil leaves if desired and enjoy your cheesy baked penne!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1862.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3926.2

Total Fat 217.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 113.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 569.1mg	0%
Sodium 5473.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 342.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.9g	0%
Total Sugars 26.9g
Protein 142.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2763.4mg	0%
Iron 23.3mg	0%
Potassium 2835.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.2%

Protein: 14.6%

Carbs: 35.2%