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.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Bring 3 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in the boiling water according to the package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Finely chop the garlic cloves and onion.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, red chili flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Tear half of the fresh basil leaves and add them to the sauce. Simmer for 2 more minutes.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 9

Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato-basil sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.

Step 10

Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a baking dish.

Step 11

Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella cheese and grate parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 13

Remove from the oven, garnish with the remaining fresh basil leaves, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4697.6 grams (4697.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2741

Total Fat 92.40g	118%
Saturated Fat 36.80g	184%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.10g
Cholesterol 175mg	58%
Sodium 4245mg	185%
Total Carbohydrate 364.30g	132%
Dietary Fiber 27.80g	99%
Total Sugars 38.30g
Protein 123.20g	246%

Vitamin D 32IU	160%
Calcium 2221mg	171%
Iron 21mg	118%
Potassium 3033mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.9%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 52.4%