Can I prep this ahead and bake later?

Yes, assemble everything in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes of baking time.

What is the enchilada sauce for?

It adds a subtle smoky depth. You can omit it or substitute a bit more marinara.

Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake

Name: Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb fettuccine; 1 tbsp salted butter; 1 cup basil pesto; 28 oz marinara sauce; 0.33 cup red enchilada sauce; 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes; 4 oz goat cheese; 1 cup fontina cheese; 0.5 cup heavy cream; 6 oz fresh mozzarella; 2 cup cherry tomatoes; 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves

A cheesy baked pasta with pesto-marinara sauce, three kinds of cheese, and fresh tomatoes that is comfort food at its finest.

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

30 min

Servings

Calories

680/serving

Difficulty

Easy

by Replay RecipesItalian-American Cuisine

DinnerQuick & EasyVegetarian

Nutrition Per Serving

680Calories

24gProtein

62gCarbs

38gFat

5gFiber

10gSugar

Ingredients

1 lb fettuccine
1 tbsp salted butter
1 cup basil pesto
28 oz marinara sauce
0.33 cup red enchilada sauce
0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes
4 oz goat cheese
1 cup fontina cheese
0.5 cup heavy cream
6 oz fresh mozzarella
2 cup cherry tomatoes
0.5 cup fresh basil leaves

Servings

6 servings

Ingredients

Preheat and Cook Pasta

Set oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.

10 min

Build the Sauce

Add butter, basil pesto, marinara sauce, enchilada sauce, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled goat cheese, cubed fontina, and coconut milk or heavy cream to the pot with the pasta. Season with salt and pepper and toss until the cheeses melt and a creamy sauce forms.

4 min

Bake Until Golden

Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish or leave in the pot if it is oven-safe. Tear fresh mozzarella over the top. Bake until the cheese melts, then broil for 1-2 minutes until golden and bubbly.

12 min

Top and Serve

Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving. Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves over the top.

5 min

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Tips & Variations

Use the broiler carefully at the end -- watch closely as the cheese goes from golden to burnt quickly.
Fresh mozzarella gives the best melty, stretchy top layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prep this ahead and bake later?: Yes, assemble everything in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes of baking time.
What is the enchilada sauce for?: It adds a subtle smoky depth. You can omit it or substitute a bit more marinara.

Recipe inspired by the original at halfbakedharvest.com. Ingredients and factual cooking data extracted; instructions independently written.

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