Baked Penne with Tomato and Mozzarella
Indulge in this delicious Baked Penne with Tomato and Mozzarella, a comforting Italian dish that's perfect for sharing with family and friends. This recipe features al dente pasta tossed in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, layered with creamy mozzarella and tangy Parmesan cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, this dish is sure to become a favorite at your dinner table. Easy to prepare and ready in under an hour, it’s the ideal weeknight meal or a great choice for a cozy gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
garlic cloves
2 (crushed)
canned Italian plum tomatoes
2 (14 ounce) cans (chopped (or 2 lb. fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped))
fresh oregano
2 teaspoons (chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried))
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (none)
dry pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli)
1 lb (none)
mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (cut into 1-inch dice)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (plus additional to serve)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the crushed garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant but not browned.
3
Pour in the chopped tomatoes and sprinkle the oregano over them. Bring the mixture to a rapid simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
4
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside 6 tablespoons of the sauce for later use.
5
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the dry pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
6
In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the remaining tomato sauce. If the mixture appears too dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
7
In a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly across the bottom. Layer half of the diced mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese on top.
8
Add the remaining pasta mixture, spoon the reserved tomato sauce on top, and finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baked Penne with Tomato and Mozzarella?
It is a comforting Italian dish featuring pasta tossed in a rich tomato sauce, layered with mozzarella and Parmesan, and baked until bubbly.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How long do I simmer the tomato sauce?
Simmer the chopped tomatoes and oregano for about 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
How much pasta is needed?
You will need 1 lb of dry pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use 2 lb of fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped, instead of two 14 ounce cans.
What is the cooking time for the pasta?
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
How much olive oil should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
How is the garlic prepared?
You should use 2 garlic cloves that have been crushed.
Should the garlic be browned?
No, cook the crushed garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Should I reserve any pasta cooking water?
Yes, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency.
How much sauce should be set aside for layering?
Set aside 6 tablespoons of the tomato sauce to spoon on top before the final baking.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 13 x 9 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe.
How do I layer the ingredients?
Spread half the pasta, layer half the cheeses, add the rest of the pasta, the reserved sauce, and the remaining cheese.
How long should the dish bake in the oven?
Bake for about 15 minutes until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, Baked Penne with Tomato and Mozzarella is a vegetarian dish.
Can I use dried oregano instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano instead of 2 teaspoons of fresh oregano.
How should the mozzarella be cut?
The mozzarella cheese should be cut into 1-inch dice.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
What types of pasta work best?
Penne, rigatoni, and fusilli are all recommended pasta types for this dish.
Should the baking dish be greased?
Yes, use a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish for the best results.
What seasonings are used in the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste.
How long does the entire meal take to make?
The dish is easy to prepare and can be ready in under an hour.
Why is pasta water added to the bowl?
It helps reach the desired consistency if the pasta and sauce mixture appears too dry.
What does the term al dente mean?
It refers to cooking pasta so that it remains firm to the bite.
Should I let the dish cool?
Yes, let it cool for a few minutes before serving to help the layers set.
Can I add more cheese when serving?
Yes, you can serve the dish with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
What kind of canned tomatoes should I buy?
Canned Italian plum tomatoes are recommended for this recipe.
Is this a good recipe for a cozy gathering?
Yes, it is an ideal choice for a cozy gathering or a family dinner.
When do I add the oregano?
Sprinkle the oregano over the tomatoes before bringing the mixture to a simmer.
What is the first step in preparing the sauce?
The first step is heating extra virgin olive oil and cooking crushed garlic until fragrant.