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Easy cheese and tomato pasta bake
Easy cheese and tomato pasta bake for nights where you want something delicious and comforting to eat but can't be bothered to spend ages in the kitchen.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 401 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American , Vegan
Ingredients
for the tomato sauce
- 2 x 400g (14 oz) cans cherry tomatoes
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon Italian Herbs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- pinch of chilli flakes optional
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar to taste (optional)
- ½ cup vegetable stock/red wine
- salt & pepper to taste
for the pasta bake
- 500 g (1lb) short pasta of your choice (I used penne)
- 1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- fresh basil to serve
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF.
- Fry the onion and garlic in a splash of olive oil until soft and translucent.
- Add the tomatoes, herbs, spices, Balsamic, sugar and stock/wine and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes while the pasta cooks. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta's cooking water.
- When the pasta is cooked and the sauce is reduced, combine and mix well. Add some of the cooking water saved from the pasta to loosen the pasta and sauce a bit.
- Transfer half the pasta mix to a baking dish, add half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese.
- Place the pasta in the pre-heated oven and allow to bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Remove and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving with fresh basil.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
401kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
57g
(19%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
16mg
(5%)
Sodium
337mg
(14%)
Potassium
358mg
(10%)
Fiber
13g
(52%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
880IU
(18%)
Vitamin C
33mg
(37%)
Calcium
311mg
(31%)
Iron
9mg
(50%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 401kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 57g | 19% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 337mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 358mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 13g | 52% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 880IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 33mg | 37% |
| Calcium | 311mg | 31% |
| Iron | 9mg | 50% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.