Creamy Penne Pasta Bake with Tomato and Havarti
Delight your taste buds with this delightful Creamy Penne Pasta Bake with Tomato and Havarti, inspired by a beloved neighborhood fundraising cookbook. This dish combines perfectly cooked penne pasta with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, aromatic herbs, and two types of cheese. It's not only satisfying and delicious but also versatile. Enjoy it fresh from the oven or freeze leftovers for a rainy day. Gather your family around for a hearty one-dish meal that's sure to impress everyone at the table!
N/A
Servings
437
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
6 tablespoons (divided)
Onion
1 large (chopped)
Garlic
1 teaspoon (minced)
Plum tomatoes
3 (28 ounce) cans (drained)
Dried basil
2 teaspoons (none)
Ground red pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons (ensure it's ground)
Chicken broth
2 cups (none)
Penne pasta
1 lb (cooked)
Havarti cheese
2 1/2 cups (grated)
Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauteing until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Stir in the drained plum tomatoes, dried basil, and ground red pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon as you go.
4
Once boiling, add the chicken broth and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. (You can prepare this ahead of time.)
5
While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking.
6
Mix the cooked penne pasta with the prepared sauce in the skillet, then fold in the grated Havarti cheese until thoroughly combined.
7
Transfer the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the grated Parmesan cheese.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
9
Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious Creamy Penne Pasta Bake!
Nutrition Information
24g
Fat
35g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Penne Pasta Bake with Tomato and Havarti?
It is a hearty one-dish meal featuring penne pasta, a rich tomato sauce, aromatic herbs, and a combination of Havarti and Parmesan cheeses.
How many calories are in a serving of this pasta bake?
Each serving contains approximately 437 calories.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long does it take to bake the pasta?
The dish should bake for about 30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
How much Havarti cheese do I need?
You will need 2 1/2 cups of grated Havarti cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes, this pasta bake is freezer-friendly and leftovers can be frozen for later use.
How much penne pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of penne pasta.
How long should the tomato sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
While tagged as vegetarian, the recipe uses chicken broth; you can substitute with vegetable broth to make it strictly vegetarian.
How much fat is in this dish?
There are 24g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 35g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This dish provides 15g of protein per serving.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 10 main ingredients in this recipe.
Should I drain the plum tomatoes?
Yes, the 3 cans of 28-ounce plum tomatoes should be drained before use.
What type of tomatoes are best for this bake?
The recipe specifically calls for canned plum tomatoes.
How much olive oil is needed?
A total of 6 tablespoons of olive oil is used, divided between sauteing and tossing the pasta.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be prepared ahead of time.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One large onion should be chopped and sauteed until softened.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed for the topping?
You will need 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
Does this dish have any spice?
Yes, it includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground red pepper for a bit of heat.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chicken broth.
Should the pasta be fully cooked before mixing?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente according to package instructions.
How long should I saute the onion and garlic?
Saute them for about 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking after draining?
Toss the drained pasta with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
It was inspired by a beloved neighborhood fundraising cookbook.
When should I add the Havarti cheese?
Fold the grated Havarti into the pasta and sauce mixture before transferring it to the baking dish.
How should the dish be served?
Let it cool slightly after baking before serving to your family.