A delicious caprese pasta bake covered in creamy tomato sauce and bubbly mozzarella. This easy 30-minute meal is the perfect way to use up fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden!
This pasta recipe reminds me of my baked ziti, baked feta pasta or baked mostaccioli, but with a caprese twist!
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Cheesy Baked Caprese Pasta
Today I’m going to share a super yummy recipe with you…a caprese pasta bake! Caprese salad is my absolute favorite and this dish combines those delicious flavors with my love of pasta recipes. It’s creamy, cheesy and full of flavor from the fresh tomatoes and basil.
Just like pasta primavera, this is a great vegetarian dish to make for Meatless Monday, although you could absolutely add ground beef or sausage if you want like I do in my baked rigatoni pasta. My family doesn’t even miss the meat and always raves over this meal.
Tips + Variations
- Salt the water. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt to the pot of water when boiling the pasta. It’s a simple way to pack in a little more flavor and trust me, it makes a difference!
- Cook noodles al dente. I usually boil the noodles until they are cooked al dente. This way they don’t get too mushy after baking in the oven. They come out perfectly tender and delicious!
- Add meat. Add 1/2 pound cooked ground beef, chicken or Italian sausage to add more heartiness to this meal.
- Lighten it up. Swap the heavy cream for half and half, or leave it out all together.
- Homemade marinara. If you have the time, making a homemade marinara sauce can really take this dish up a notch. It tastes so fresh and delicious!
- Finish it off. For the ultimate caprese flavor, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving.
FAQs
Sure! A few Tablespoons of basil pesto would another layer of flavor to the Caprese pasta
Fresh mozzarella cut into cubes is best! You can find a large ball of fresh mozzarella usually in the produce department of most grocery stores.
Spinach leaves would add a bright pop of color and nutrition!
Any hollow pasta in the shape of a tube works great to soak up all the sauce! Penne, ziti and rigatoni would all work best.
How to Freeze Pasta Caprese
Similar to other baked pasta dishes like lasagna or baked spaghetti, this recipe is a great freezer meal. Because it makes a lot, I usually always freeze half to pull out for an easy dinner.
This recipe works best when frozen before baking. Simply boil the noodles, then mix with the sauce and prepare in the baking dish as directed. Let cool completely, then cover the dish tightly with foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake in the oven according to the instructions.
Need more easy pasta recipes? Try this pasta carbonara recipe or chicken parmesan recipe next!
More Delicious Pasta Dishes
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Caprese Pasta Bake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta , penne or rigatoni
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2-5 ounces mozzarella cheese , cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 cup grape tomatoes , halved
- fresh basil leaves , chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9" baking dish with nonstick spray. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of water with 1 teaspoon salt. Once pasta is fully cooked, drain and place back in pot.
- Once noodles are done cooking, add in the sauce, heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
- Stir in mozzarella and tomatoes (saving some for the top). Then pour pasta mixture into baking dish and top with remaining cheese and tomatoes.
- Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Top with freshly chopped basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Casseroles, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, Italian, Nut-Free, Pasta, Vegetarian, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My favorite messy dish is probably my apple cinnamon cobbler!
My secret recipe Lasagna! 5 cheese and 3 meats mushrooms spinach…I put so much in my lasagna pan it never stays in!
Cherry pie is the messiest.
My messiest recipe is Elderberry Pie or Blueberry Pie. They just love to boil over the pie dish, but oh, so worth it.
Your caprese pasta looks so gooooood! My pies (any kind) spill over and then the next time I bake…..smoke!
My favorite cheesecake pie can get quite messy in the oven (while also getting quite delicious).
Messiest recipe till date has been apple pie. If I dont put a sheet pan under the pie dish then all the juices mess up the oven!
I can drop anything off the side of a cookie sheet! I’ve lost many a roasted carrot to the bottom of my oven. I’d love to win!
My messiest Recipe is my Pizzeles, I like to dip them in powdered sugar on both sides, Not only is my counter a mess but I manage to get it all over myself and on the floor and of course my dog ends up getting in the action too!
I tend to overfill my cake pans so I can level them to get a perfect two inch layer and sometimes they run over into the oven.
Bacon is so much easier to make in the oven…but not any easier to clean up afterwards. Sigh.
Scalloped potatoes
Apple Cranberry Pie…no matter how I fill or not fill it always bubbles over with all that wonderful goodness and makes a gooey mess, but I don’t mind since it tastes so delish!
Probably my messiest is my triple crust cobbler. No matter the kind of fruit I use it does tend o bubble over
So many faves… one of the messiest though is roast chicken with loads of roasted veggies , potatoes, and garlic!.. it always seems to spill over!
Black raspberry jam—there’s always at least a little jam on the stove, counter, floor, and my shirt.
My favorite recipe that messes up my oven is Peach Cobbler.
https://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/339852210416533504
It has to be lasagna!