Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake - Quick & Easy!

A quick creamy tomato sauce, tender noodles topped with lots of cheese; this pasta bake casseroles is a cinch to put together.

Meatless Monday just got more delicious (or you can add in some sausage or shredded chicken if you’d like)! With heaps of flavor and super simple prep, everyone loves this dish.

Creamy tomato pasta baked with cheese being served with a wooden spoon

Easy Pasta Bake

We are absolutely loving this recipe right now because not only is it super easy to make, but the ingredients are often on hand for me!

Who doesn’t love a creamy tomatoey, cheesy pasta dish? It’s a favorite with the kids, and hearty enough to satisfy those big appetites!

No meat is needed in this dish but it is easy to adapt…. add in ground sausage, rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted vegetables.

ingredients to make Creamy Tomato Pasta Casserole

Ingredients & Variations

The basics for this recipe are pasta, marinara, cream and loads of cheese!

PASTA I used penne in this recipe, but any medium pasta will work great.

MARINARA Store-bought or homemade will both taste amazing. Pasta sauce can be used too, whatever you have on hand!

SEASONINGS Garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil are all added to this dish. Feel free to add any other spices you’d like!

CHEESE Shredded Mozzarella is added to the top of the casserole and baked until golden brown. A perfect addition!

VARIATIONS Feel free to add a layer of cooked ground beef or ground Italian sausage for a meatier version of this casserole! Or add a layer of zucchini or eggplant for some extra color, texture, and nutrition! Why not add a layer of frozen mixed veggies or some sliced mushrooms, too?

making the sauce for Creamy Tomato Pasta Casserole

How to Make a Creamy Pasta Bake

This is a one and done deal, super easy and ready in no time!

  1. Cook pasta to al dente and drain.
  2. Saute onion with garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir in cream and marinara, simmer.
  3. Stir pasta and sauce in a casserole dish. Add the cheese and bake until melted and bubbly!

Penne pasta with creamy tomato sauce in a white casserole dish

KITCHEN TIP

For a basil garnish on the top, lay basil leaves one on top of the other and roll them up from one end to the other. Slice thinly from one end to the other until the basil looks like ribbons. This is called chiffonade and is a very popular way to garnish with basil! Try it!

Tips for Success

  • If using ground meat in a pasta cheese bake, pre-cook and drain it before adding to the casserole dish.
  • Use finely shredded mozzarella cheese so it melts quickly and evenly.
  • To brown the cheese, broil for 2-3 minutes or until bubbly.

Creamy tomato pasta topped with cheese and parsley on a plate

Serve this with a tossed salad and garlic bread for the perfect meal!

Other Delicious Pasta Dishes

Did your family love this Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! 

A casserole dish of creamy tomato pasta topped with melted cheese being served with a serving spoon

Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake

This casserole is creamy, cheesy & delicious!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cool 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 403
Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 1 pound penne or rigatoni
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce or pasta sauce
  • 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes drained
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cook pasta in salted water al dente according to the package directions and drain.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add onion and cook until tender. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning and cook 1 minute or until fragrant. Add cream, tomatoes and marinara sauce. Simmer 2 minutes.
  • Place pasta in a 9x13 pan. Add sauce and toss to combine.
  • Top with shredded cheese and bake 20-25 minutes or until hot and cheese is bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven, cool 5 minutes and top with fresh herbs.

Notes

Cook pasta to al dente (firm) as it will cook a bit more in the oven.
If you prefer a creamier sauce, add 1/3 cup extra cream.
Cooked meat such as rotisserie chicken, ham or ground sausage can be added. Add any cheese you have on hand on top of this dish.
Do not overbake or the dish can become dry.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 403 | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 633mg | Potassium: 454mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 2mg
close up of Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake with writing
Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake in a baking dish with writing
Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake with a title
Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake in a baking dish with writing and an image of the finished plated dish


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