Caprese Pasta Bake Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish with olive oil.
• STEP 2.Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• STEP 3.In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
• STEP 4.Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• STEP 5.In the greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked penne pasta, followed by half of the tomato sauce, half of the cherry tomatoes, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the fresh basil leaves. Repeat the layers.
• STEP 6.Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• STEP 7.Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• STEP 8.Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
• STEP 9.Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, and enjoy!

Cooking Tips

• You can use any type of pasta for this recipe, such as fusilli, rigatoni, or rotini.
• For a twist, you can add cooked chicken or Italian sausage to the pasta bake.
• If you prefer a more pronounced basil flavor, you can add fresh basil leaves to the tomato sauce while simmering.

Storage and Serving

• Caprese Pasta Bake is best served immediately while the cheese is still melted and gooey.
• If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, place the pasta bake in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.