Margherita Pasta Bake

$To create a tasty Margherita Pasta Bake, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Here’s the list: - 300g penne pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste - 200g fresh mozzarella cheese, diced - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling) Each ingredient adds flavor and texture to our dish. The penne pasta serves as a great base, holding all the sauce. Olive oil helps the garlic cook well and gives a nice flavor. Fresh mozzarella gives that creamy touch we all love. The crushed tomatoes form a savory sauce, while dried oregano adds a warm, herbal taste. Fresh basil gives a burst of freshness. Parmesan on top adds a lovely, cheesy crust. Don't forget the balsamic glaze! It can add a sweet finish when drizzled on top. This dish is not only easy to make but also fun to share with family. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). - Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain. Cooking pasta is simple. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta. Stir it gently to prevent sticking. Cook until it is firm but not soft. This is called al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. - Heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. - Add crushed tomatoes and oregano, season with salt and pepper, and simmer. Now, let’s make the sauce. Take a large skillet and heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about one to two minutes. You want to smell the garlic, but don’t let it burn. Next, stir in the crushed tomatoes. Sprinkle in oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about five minutes. This helps it thicken and blend the flavors. - Mix cooked pasta with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. - Transfer to a baking dish, top with Parmesan, and bake. After the sauce simmers, add the cooked penne pasta. Stir it well until every piece of pasta gets coated in the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat. Then, fold in diced mozzarella and torn basil leaves. This adds creaminess and fresh flavor. Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. This will get nice and golden when baked. Finally, place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. When the cheese is bubbly and golden, it’s ready. Once baked, take it out and let it cool for a few minutes. If you like, drizzle some balsamic glaze on top for extra flavor. Enjoy your tasty Margherita pasta bake! To ensure your pasta is al dente, cook it just until firm. This way, it holds its shape in the bake. Follow the package’s time, but check a minute early. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer. A good five minutes helps to deepen the flavor and thicken it up. If you can't find fresh mozzarella, try using low-moisture mozzarella. It melts well and still tastes great. For Parmesan, grated Pecorino Romano works well too. When choosing tomatoes, fresh is best but canned crushed tomatoes are easy and tasty. They save time and have great flavor too. Serve the pasta bake family-style right in the baking dish. Top it off with some fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. For sides, a simple green salad pairs nicely. You could even add garlic bread for a heartier meal. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh mozzarella and basil to enhance the flavor and texture of your pasta bake. Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to mix different cheeses like provolone or fontina for a more complex flavor profile. Make Ahead: Prepare the pasta bake a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Just bake it when you're ready to serve! Perfect Your Bake Time: Keep an eye on the pasta bake towards the end of the baking time to prevent burning the cheese. {{image_2}} You can make your Margherita Pasta Bake even tastier by adding veggies. Spinach works great and adds color. Just toss in a few handfuls when you mix the pasta and sauce. Bell peppers also add crunch and sweetness. Chop them up and sauté with the garlic. You can even try zucchini or mushrooms for extra flavor. These veggie add-ins make the dish healthy and fun! Want to boost protein in your bake? Think about adding chicken, sausage, or bacon. Cook chicken breast in the skillet before adding garlic. Cut it into small pieces for easy mixing. For sausage, slice it up and brown it before adding to the pasta. Bacon adds a crispy touch. Cook it until crispy, crumble it, and fold it in at the end. These options make the dish hearty and satisfying. If you like heat, try adding red pepper flakes or jalapeños. Just a sprinkle of flakes brings warmth without being too spicy. Mix them into the sauce while it simmers. For jalapeños, slice them thin and add them along with the garlic. This twist makes your pasta bake exciting and full of flavor. Adjust the spice level to fit your taste! Store any leftover Margherita Pasta Bake in an airtight container. Let it cool to room temperature first. Cover the container tightly to keep out air. This helps the pasta bake stay fresh. You can enjoy it for up to three days in the fridge. To freeze your pasta bake, follow these steps: - Allow the dish to cool completely. - Cut it into servings. - Place each serving in a freezer-safe container. - Label with the date. - Freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20-25 minutes or until hot. In the fridge, the Margherita Pasta Bake lasts about three days. In the freezer, it can stay fresh for three months. Always check for signs of spoilage before eating, like off smells or changes in texture. Enjoy your tasty meals later without worry! Yes, you can make Margherita Pasta Bake ahead of time. Prepare the dish up to the baking step. Cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Then, store it in the fridge for up to two days. When you are ready to eat, just bake it as the recipe says. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time. This makes it easy for busy days. Yes, you can choose different pasta shapes. While penne works well, you can use rigatoni, fusilli, or even macaroni. Just make sure the pasta cooks to al dente. This way, it holds up well in the bake. Each pasta type adds its own fun twist to the dish. Making Margherita Pasta Bake vegetarian is simple. The recipe is already meat-free. Just ensure all your ingredients, like cheese and sauces, are vegetarian. You can also add more vegetables. Try adding spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers for some extra flavor and color. It will still taste great! Margherita Pasta Bake pairs well with many sides. A fresh green salad adds a nice crunch. Garlic bread also complements the dish perfectly. For a complete meal, serve it with roasted vegetables. These options balance the richness of the pasta bake and make for a tasty family meal. This blog post covered a delicious Margherita Pasta Bake. We discussed key ingredients, from penne and garlic to fresh basil and mozzarella. You learned simple steps to prepare and bake the dish, plus tips for perfect texture. We explored variations, like adding veggies or protein. Lastly, we provided storage tips to help you enjoy leftovers. In closing, this recipe is flexible and fun. You can make it your own. Enjoy sharing this dish with family and friends!$

A delicious and comforting pasta bake featuring penne pasta, crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Ingredients

300 g penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
400 g crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
to taste salt and pepper
200 g fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional for drizzling)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and dried oregano, seasoning with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and mix well until the pasta is fully coated with the tomato sauce.
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the diced mozzarella and torn basil leaves.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using.

Notes

Serve the pasta bake family-style in the baking dish, garnished with a few extra fresh basil leaves on top. Consider providing a side salad for a complete meal!

Keyword bake, Italian, pasta, vegetarian