Ingredients
Scale
- 400g of short pasta such as penne or ziti
- 400g of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 400g of ripe tomatoes or good-quality canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
- Red chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about a cup of pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, then add crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes if using. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chopped basil.
- Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Mix cooked pasta with the tomato sauce, adding reserved pasta water to loosen if needed. Transfer to a baking dish.
- Layer sliced mozzarella over the pasta, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan and additional basil if desired.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh tomatoes with high-quality canned crushed tomatoes for convenience.
- Adding red chili flakes provides a spicy kick; adjust according to taste.
- For a richer flavor, sprinkle extra Parmesan before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 550 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 76g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
