Go Back
+ servings
Print

Baked Pasta and Broccoli in Creamy Tomato Sauce

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 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 8 oz pasta of your choice
  • 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • ½ lb broccoli
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes you can use less if you like
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil plus a drizzle for the top
  • 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400
    Heat 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 broccoli
    While 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 casserole
    Bake 10-15 minutes depending on your oven. Let stand for about 3 minutes before serving.