Italian Oven-Baked Tomato Basil Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple one-pan baked pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella that comes together beautifully in the oven. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs dry penne pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large oven-safe baking dish, combine 12 oz dry penne pasta, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Pour 4 cups water into the dish and stir gently to mix. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes until the pasta is tender and most of the water is absorbed.
  3. Step 3: Carefully remove the foil and stir the pasta. Scatter 8 oz torn fresh mozzarella and 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves evenly over the top. Return to oven uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes until the mozzarella melts and bubbles.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Oven-Baked Tomato Basil Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Italian Oven-Baked Tomato Basil Pasta?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dry penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Oven-Baked Tomato Basil Pasta?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Italian Oven-Baked Tomato Basil Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Italian Oven-Baked Tomato Basil Pasta?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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