Tomato and Herb Baked Pasta
A comforting baked pasta dish layered with ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and creamy cheese. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs pasta, chopped tomatoes, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta
- 3 cups chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 12 oz pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 3 cups chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
- Step 4: Layer the cooked pasta, tomato mixture, and 1 cup grated mozzarella in a baking dish. Pour 1/2 cup pasta water over the top to create a creamy sauce.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
