Spiced Tomato and Cheese Baked Penne
Penne pasta baked in a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices and topped with melted cheese for a comforting meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz penne pasta, cooking for 9 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped medium onion, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Combine the cooked penne pasta with the tomato sauce and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves in a large bowl, mixing gently to coat all the pasta.
- Step 5: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Tomato and Cheese Baked Penne take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Spiced Tomato and Cheese Baked Penne?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Tomato and Cheese Baked Penne?
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 Spiced Tomato and Cheese Baked Penne for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spiced Tomato and Cheese Baked Penne?
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.
