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Sunday Table
Sunday TableVerified

February 3, 2026

This creamy pasta bake is easy to make with penne, cherry tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, and mozzarella for a comforting weeknight vegetarian pasta dish.

Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil cover
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Creamy Pasta Bake with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

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Sunday Table
Sunday TableVerified

Ingredients

0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

1
|
Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.
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.
3
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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.
4
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Stir in tomato sauce and tomato paste and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
5
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Add cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper.
6
|
Stir some of the reserved pasta water into sauce and add cooked penne.
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.
8
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Pour penne mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with remaining mozzarella cheese.
9
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Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

  • Cherry Tomato Technique 🍅
    Halve cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with a pinch of sugar to enhance their natural sweetness and balance acidity before adding to the pasta bake.
  • Pasta Water Magic 💦
    Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water before draining to help create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if the mixture seems too dry during baking.
  • Cheese Layer Strategy 🧀
    Mix half the mozzarella into the sauce and reserve the other half for topping to create a beautiful golden, crispy cheese crust when baked.
  • Garlic Infusion Hack 🧄
    Sauté minced garlic and onions in olive oil until just fragrant, but not browned, to prevent bitterness and develop a sweeter, more complex flavor base.
  • Fresh Basil Finishing 🌿
    Sprinkle freshly chopped basil over the pasta bake right after removing from the oven to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities and add a vibrant finishing touch.

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About the Cook

Sunday Table

Sunday Table

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