Italian Delight
Dive into the comforting flavors of "Italian Delight," a hearty baked penne pasta dish that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. This recipe combines perfectly al dente pasta with a rich, fragrant tomato sauce made from crushed tomatoes, sautéed garlic, and onions, with a touch of oregano and chili flakes for a subtle kick. Tossed with fresh basil and topped with a luscious blend of gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese, this dish is baked to perfection for an irresistible golden crust. Ready in just 45 minutes and serving four, "Italian Delight" is a satisfying blend of classic Italian flavors that's easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress. Serve it with garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete Italian feast! Keywords: baked penne pasta, Italian pasta recipe, cheesy pasta bake, easy family dinner, classic Italian dish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 medium onion
- 800 grams crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 teaspoons red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese
- 50 grams parmesan cheese
- 3 liters water
Instructions
Bring 3 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
Cook the penne pasta in the boiling water according to the package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Finely chop the garlic cloves and onion.
Add the chopped garlic and onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onion turns translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red chili flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Tear half of the fresh basil leaves and add them to the sauce. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato-basil sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a baking dish.
Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella cheese and grate parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Remove from the oven, garnish with the remaining fresh basil leaves, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2740 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 92.4 g | 118% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.8 g | 184% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 174 mg | 58% | |
| Sodium | 4245 mg | 185% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 364.3 g | 132% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.8 g | 99% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.3 g | ||
| Protein | 123.2 g | 246% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 2221 mg | 171% | |
| Iron | 21.3 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 3033 mg | 65% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
