A delicious caprese pasta bake covered in creamy tomato sauce and bubbly mozzarella. This easy 30-minute meal is the perfect way to use up fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden! 

Caprese pasta bake dish on counter.

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Cheesy Baked Caprese Pasta

Today I’m going to share a super yummy recipe with you…a caprese pasta bake! Caprese salad is my absolute favorite and this dish combines those delicious flavors with my love of pasta recipes. It’s creamy, cheesy and full of flavor from the fresh tomatoes and basil.

Just like pasta primavera or baked mostaccioli, this is a great vegetarian dish to make for Meatless Monday, although you could absolutely add ground beef or sausage like I do in my baked rigatoni pasta. My family always raves over this meal and my baked ziti!

Noodles and sauce in metal pot.

Tips + Variations

  • Salt the water. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt to the pot of water when boiling the pasta. It’s a simple way to pack in a little more flavor and trust me, it makes a difference!
  • Cook noodles al dente. I usually boil the noodles until they are cooked al dente. This way they don’t get too mushy after baking in the oven. They come out perfectly tender and delicious!
  • Add meat. Add 1/2 pound cooked ground beef, chicken or Italian sausage to add more heartiness to this meal.
  • Lighten it up. Swap the heavy cream for half and half, or leave it out all together.
  • Homemade marinara. If you have the time, making a homemade marinara sauce can really take this dish up a notch. It tastes so fresh and delicious!
  • Finish it off. For the ultimate caprese flavor, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving.

FAQs

Can I add pesto this recipe?

Sure! A few Tablespoons of basil pesto would another layer of flavor to the Caprese pasta

What type of mozzarella should I use?

Fresh mozzarella cut into cubes is best! You can find a large ball of fresh mozzarella usually in the produce department of most grocery stores.

Can I add other vegetables?

Spinach leaves would add a bright pop of color and nutrition!

What pasta shape is best for Caprese pasta?

Any hollow pasta in the shape of a tube works great to soak up all the sauce! Penne, ziti and rigatoni would all work best.

Noodles, tomatoes and cheese in baking dish.

How to Freeze Pasta Caprese

Similar to other baked pasta dishes like lasagna or easy baked spaghetti, this recipe is a great freezer meal. Because it makes a lot, I usually always freeze half to pull out for an easy dinner.

This recipe works best when frozen before baking. Simply boil the noodles, then mix with the sauce and prepare in the baking dish as directed. Let cool completely, then cover the dish tightly with foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake in the oven according to the instructions.

Baked caprese pasta in white dish.

Need more easy pasta recipes? Try this pasta carbonara recipe, baked feta pasta or oven baked chicken parmesan recipe next!

More Delicious Pasta Dishes

baked caprese pasta in white dish

Caprese Pasta Bake

5 from 12 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people
A delicious caprese pasta bake covered in creamy tomato sauce and bubbly mozzarella. This easy 30-minute meal is the perfect way to use up fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden!   
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ziti pasta , penne or rigatoni
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • 2-5 ounces mozzarella cheese , cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes , halved
  • fresh basil leaves , chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×9" baking dish with nonstick spray. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of water with 1 teaspoon salt. Once pasta is fully cooked, drain and place back in pot.
  • Once noodles are done cooking, add in the sauce, heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
  • Stir in mozzarella and tomatoes (saving some for the top). Then pour pasta mixture into baking dish and top with remaining cheese and tomatoes.
  • Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Top with freshly chopped basil. Enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variation: To make this recipe a little heartier, add 1/2 pound cooked ground beef, chicken or Italian sausage. To make it lighter, you can leave out the heavy cream or use half and half. 
Freezer instructions: This recipe freezes well (and I usually freeze half since it makes a lot). I recommend freezing before baking. Place in a foil container and then cover with foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake as directed. 
Update: This recipe was updated on 6/25 (and is slightly different than the video) to make it easier. I simply cut the the heavy cream and cheese from 1/2 cup to 1/3 cup and mix it into the pot of noodles instead of a separate pot.

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 728mg, Potassium: 391mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 650IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 110mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Spoonful of caprese pasta.