Cheesy Marinara Baked Penne

December 7, 2015

Cheesy Marinara Baked Penne

Sometimes, on a crazy, insane, and slightly overwhelming start to the week kinda Monday, all you need is a little comfort food hug in your life. This, my friends, this is that hug. K, I’m out. Short, sweet, and to the comforting point.

Baked Comfort Food Heaven.

Cheesy Marinara Baked Penne

Serves 4-6 hungry people

You’ll need;

For the sauce:
1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
8 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon fresh basil, diced

For the pasta:
500 grams penne
2 cups mozzarella, grated
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup fresh basil, diced

Preheated your oven to 350 degrees.

Heat a saucepan over medium-heat, and pour in 1/4 cup olive oil. When the oil is hot (but not smoking), add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, and season with 1/2 teaspoon oregano and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Let the sauce simmer and bubble away for 8 – 10 minutes, until reduced and slightly thickened. Stir in 1/4 cup finely diced basil and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.

Toss the pasta and the sauce together in a bowl and transfer to a cast-iron (or oven safe) pan. Top with grated mozzarella and Parmesan, and sprinkle over 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. Drizzle over 1 tablespoon olive oil, and transferred to the preheated oven.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops of the pasta just start to crisp.

Serve immediately.

2 responses to “Cheesy Marinara Baked Penne”

Dennis Prescott