Caprese pasta bake

Name: Caprese pasta bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 3 tbsp. olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 400 g tins plum tomatoes; 15 g butter; 300g (11oz) fusilli pasta; 150 g cherry tomatoes; 2 125 g mozzarella balls, sliced; 3 tbsp. fresh pesto; Small handful fresh basil leaves

Topped with fresh pesto, this Italian-inspired recipe is on the table in just thirty minutes!

By Ailsa BurtUpdated: 29 August 2023

Jump to recipe

Bursting with classic Italian flavours, this easy tomato and mozzarella pasta bake will soon become a firm family favourite – even with fussy eaters! Better yet, it requires just a few budget-friendly ingredients and takes just thirty minutes to prepare.

We've used fresh pesto to really elevate this easy midweek dish. To serve, scatter with basil leaves alongside a simple rocket salad.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Yields:

4 serving(s)

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Cal/Serv:

632

Ingredients

3 Tbsp.
olive oil
2
garlic cloves, crushed
2
400 g tins plum tomatoes
15 g
butter
300g (11oz) fusilli pasta
150 g
cherry tomatoes
2
125 g mozzarella balls, sliced
3 Tbsp.
fresh pesto
Small handful fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. Step 1
  Add 2tbsp of the oil to a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add the garlic and tinned tomatoes. Using a potato masher, carefully crush the tomatoes, mashing gently so they don’t splatter. Bring to the boil and cook for about 15min until thickened, stirring frequently. Season to taste with salt, pepper and pinch of sugar. Take off the heat and stir in the butter.
2. Step 2
  Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the instructions on the packet. Once cooked, drain well and reserve a mug of the pasta water.
3. Step 3
  Preheat grill to medium. Add drained pasta to the tomato sauce pan and stir together, adding a bit of pasta water to loosen if it seems dry. Tip into a large ovenproof dish and drizzle over the remaining olive oil.
4. Step 4
  Scatter over the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella slices and grill for 5min, or until the mozzarella has melted. Drizzle over the pesto and scatter over basil leaves. Serve.