Baked Pasta and Broccoli in Creamy Tomato Sauce - A rich creamy tomato sauce , al dente pasta, broccoli and fresh mozzarella cheese bring this easy dish together for a perfect weeknight meal.
Course Pasta
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Ingredients
8ozpasta of your choice
6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
1mediumyellow oniondiced
½lbbroccoli
2garlic cloves minced
¼cuppanko breadcrumbs
¼cupheavy cream
1 tspItalian seasoning
1tbspcapers
¼tspcrushed red pepper flakesyou can use less if you like
salt and pepper to taste
1tbspolive oilplus a drizzle for the top
115 ozcan crushed tomatoes
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400Heat a large pot of salted water on high heat. Trim your broccoli and cut off the bottom stem. Break broccoli into pieces. Peel and dice the onion, mince garlic, slice mozzarella cheese.Add the pasta to the boiling water after about 4 minutes add broccoli. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of cooking water when you drain the pasta nad broccoliWhile the pasta and broccoli cook make your sauce in a pan. Add 1 tbsp olive oil until just hot. Add diced onion, italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and as much salt and pepper as you like. Cook stirring for a minute or two or until onions are softened. Add tomatoes, cooking 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add heavy cream and cook about 1 minute. turn off heat and add more salt and pepper if needed. In a large bowl add pasta and broccoli, capers, sauce, reserved cooking water and stir. Transfer to a baking dish and top with the mozzarella cheese then panko bread crumbs. Drizzle a little olive oil over the casseroleBake 10-15 minutes depending on your oven. Let stand for about 3 minutes before serving.