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Homemade Mozzarella and Penne Pasta Bake photo

Mozzarella and Penne Pasta Bake

A simple, cheesy whole-grain penne bake with marinara and fresh basil.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups whole-grain penne (cooked)
  • 1 1/2 cups part-skim mozzarella shredded
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (about 1/2 pint)
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce sugar-free, homemade or store-bought (such as Ragu Lite or Amy's)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 10 leaves basil torn into a few pieces each

Equipment

  • Baking Dish
  • Large Bowl
  • Cooking spray
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a baking dish with cooking spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked whole-grain penne, shredded mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, marinara sauce, salt, and pepper; stir until evenly mixed.
  4. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
  5. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
  6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the torn basil leaves over the top before serving.

Notes

  • Use cooked pasta that is slightly underdone for best texture after baking.
  • Choose a sugar-free marinara to keep the dish lower in added sugar.
  • Part-skim mozzarella melts well and reduces fat compared with whole-milk mozzarella.