Pasta Bake Sauce
This pasta bake sauce recipe is a game-changer for your meals. Rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, it transforms simple pasta into a comforting, satisfying dish. Perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in, this sauce will leave everyone craving more. Simple to make, yet indulgent and full of warmth, it's a recipe you'll return to time and again.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot Used for boiling pasta. Ensure it’s big enough to hold water.
- 1 Medium Saucepan For making the pasta bake sauce.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Whisk To stir the sauce and avoid burning.
- 1 Baking Dish (Casserole Dish) For assembling and baking the pasta with sauce.
- 1 Measuring cups and spoons For accurately measuring ingredients like cheese, cream, etc.
- 1 Colander or Strainer For draining the pasta after boiling.
- 1 Oven To bake the assembled pasta and sauce mixture.
- 1 Grater (optional) To grate cheese for topping.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Heavy cream Use full-fat cream for a rich, creamy texture.
- 1 Cup Milk Whole milk works best, but you can substitute with skim or almond milk.
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil For sautéing the garlic and onions.
- 1 Tbsp Butter Adds richness to the sauce.
- 1 Tbsp Garlic, minced Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used.
- 1 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated Adds a nutty, salty flavor to the sauce.
- 1 Tsp Dried oregano For seasoning the sauce with a classic Italian flavor.
- 1 Tsp Dried basil Adds a fragrant, herbal note to the sauce.
- 1/2 Tsp Salt To taste, adjust depending on the saltiness of other ingredients.
- 1/2 Tsp Black pepper Freshly ground black pepper for seasoning.
- 2 Cups Tomato sauce Choose a high-quality tomato sauce for the base of the pasta bake.
- 1 Tbsp Tomato paste To thicken the sauce and deepen the flavor.
- 1/2 Tsp Red pepper flakes Optional, for adding a mild heat to the sauce.
- 1 Tsp Suger To balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- 1 Cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded For topping the pasta bake to give a gooey, cheesy finish.
Instructions
- Mince the garlic.Grate the Parmesan cheese.Shred the mozzarella cheese.Measure out the heavy cream, milk, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and seasonings to have everything ready.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.Once the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in 2 cups of heavy cream and 1 cup of milk. Stir the mixture to combine.Bring the cream and milk to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low once it starts to bubble, allowing it to thicken slightly. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir to combine.If desired, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, and 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Stir in 2 cups of tomato sauce and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Mix everything well until the tomato paste is fully dissolved into the sauce.Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and all the flavors meld together.
- Add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce, making it rich and creamy.Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed by adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to your liking.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with the prepared sauce. Stir everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta and sauce. For an extra cheesy layer, you can also add more grated Parmesan if you like.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden, bubbly, and slightly crispy.If you prefer a crispier top, you can place the dish under the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Once the pasta bake is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.Serve hot and enjoy your delicious, creamy pasta bake!