This vegetarian Caprese Pasta Bake is simple yet satisfying, great for a weeknight supper - Made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 min!
This simple Caprese Pasta Bake is all packed with fresh Italian flavours, and delivered in a hearty baked version.
This is one of my go-to meals when I feel a little under the weather, and I find myself craving comfort food, something heart-warming, easy to make and with simple ingredients.
And this Caprese Pasta Bake certainly fits the bill!
Ingredients
This recipe is ready in just 30 min, it's conveniently vegetarian and made with simple every-day ingredients from the Italian cuisine:
- pasta
- marinara sauce
- cherry tomatoes
- fresh mozzarella
- basil
For the sauce, I've used a simple 5-min marinara sauce, which reminds me of the freshness of the tomatoes of the caprese salad.
But if you have a little more time on hand, you could also swap it with my classic Italian tomato sauce for a more hearty flavour.
Instructions
This Caprese Pasta Bake comes together so effortlessly easy, that you'll have lovely meal ready to share with the whole family before you know it.
All you have to do is cook the pasta until al dente, mix it with the sauce, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and basil, and bake it in the oven until the cheese is nicely melted and your kitchen smells amazing.
Once your baked pasta is ready, spoon the steaming pasta into large bowls, sprinkle with extra basil, and get ready to devour it in less than a blink.
My favourite thing about this Caprese Pasta Bake is that is as simple as it sounds, making an ideal dinner for busy people (especially if you're a new mum like me).
You really can't go wrong with cheese, pasta, and sauce baked to perfection!
More pasta bake recipes to try:
- Easy Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
- Vegetarian Lasagna with No-Cook White Sauce
- Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how you liked it! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thepetitecook! Looking at your pictures always makes me smile *and super hungry*!
Recipe
Caprese Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 400 g penne rigate pasta
- 400 g homemade marinara sauce
- 100 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly teared
- 250 g fresh mozzarella, drained and finely cubed
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Heat oven to 180C/360F and arrange a baking tray into the middle shelf.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of lightly salted boiling water. Cook the pasta until just al dente, about 4 min shorter than cooking time instructions.
- Drain pasta, and mix it with the marinara sauce, tomatoes, half the mozzarella, basil and olive oil. Toss all ingredients together, season accordingly, then spoon evenly into a large ovenproof dish.
- Top the pasta with remaining mozzarella. Place in the oven and cook until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
- Top with the remaining basil and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Akhil M says
Wow, I'm already drooling. Thanks a ton for this recipe. I'm sharing this to my colleagues. 🙂
Anand says
It tasted fantastic. Thank you so much !!
Adele says
Definitely going to try out this dish. Definitely has my mouth watering!
Andrea says
YAY! Hope you'll like it as much as I do!
Scotch & Stilettos says
This looks so delicious! I love pasta and anything that makes it feel like Summer indoors when it's grey outside is always a great idea! Especially when it's quick and simple to make as well.
Ellie
Andrea says
Couldn't agree more! 🙂
coffeeandmarble says
This sounds amazing, thanks for sharing! I've printed it for my next grocery trip!
Andrea says
Hope it turns out just as good as mine did! Let me know your feedback 🙂