Description
A comforting baked pasta dish with bubbly cheese, bright tomato sauce, and fresh basil, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 400 g pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 250 g mozzarella, diced
- 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a medium baking dish with olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 1–2 minutes less than package directions, then drain, reserving some pasta water.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5–7 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper. If needed, thin with reserved pasta water.
- Remove from heat, then add the drained pasta and half the diced mozzarella to the sauce, tossing to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes for a golden crust if desired.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil leaves and serving.
Notes
For a vegan version, substitute mozzarella with plant-based cheese and nutritional yeast for Parmesan. Add-ins like roasted vegetables can enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian