Description
Mediterranean magic comes alive when Baked Mediterranean Pasta hits your dinner table, bringing fresh herbs and tangy flavors straight to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Supporting Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ⅓ cup pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 375°F and position the rack in the center for even heating.
- Boil 12 oz pasta in salted water until slightly undercooked, about 7 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes until they start softening and releasing juices.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the partially cooked pasta with sautéed tomatoes and garlic.
- Fold in ½ cup Kalamata olives, ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and ½ cup chopped fresh basil.
- Stir in ⅓ cup pesto, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese over the top, covering the pasta completely.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden around the edges.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to create a crispy, browned cheese top.
- Remove from oven and let the pasta rest 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Undercook the pasta slightly since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
- Choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes that naturally burst and caramelize for deep flavor development.
- Salt levels matter – taste and adjust seasoning before baking to ensure balanced Mediterranean flavors.
- Swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives for a plant-based version that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 27-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 448 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 442 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg