My Caprese Pasta Bake is a cozy casserole packed with classic Italian flavors—juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and gooey melted mozzarella. It’s an easy, one-pan dish that’s bursting with comforting, summery vibes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing family meal, this flavorful baked pasta is sure to become a favorite!
5-Star Review
“This has become a go-to meal for us! I literally make it every other week and it’s always a crowd pleaser. Thanks for this amazing recipe!” -Maddy
Easy Oven-Baked Caprese Pasta
A classic caprese salad is delightful on its own, but turning it into a caprese pasta bake creates a warm, comforting family meal. The mozzarella melts perfectly, enhancing the flavors and blending the tomatoes, cheese, and pasta into an irresistible dish. This simple baked casserole is truly impressive — a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Oven-Baked Caprese Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pasta small or medium sized works best
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 jar 23.50 ounces marinara sauce or any tomato-based pasta sauce
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese divided
- 4 ounces mozzarella pearls divided
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes halved, divided
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil divided
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 3-quart baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Fill a large pot with water and add 1-teaspoon table salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and dried basil. Bring water to a boil and cook pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and keep it aside.1 teaspoon table salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 pound dry pasta
- While pasta cooks, combine marinara sauce, heavy cream, balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 2 ounces mozzarella pearls, 1-cup cherry tomatoes and 2 tablespoons fresh basil in the baking sheet and mix well.1 jar, ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 4 ounces mozzarella pearls, 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Add the boiled pasta and top with 2 ounces mozzarella pearls and 1 cup grape tomatoes. Cook for 30 minutes, or until hot throughout.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons fresh basil.¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Oven-Baked Caprese Pasta Step by Step
Heat the oven: Start by heating oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 3-quart baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside.
Cook the pasta until al dente: Fill a large pot with water and add 1 teaspoon of table salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and 1 teaspoon dried basil. Bring water to a boil and cook 1 pound of dry pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set it aside.
Add everything in the baking dish and bake: While pasta cooks, combine 1 jar of marinara sauce, ¼ cup heavy cream,1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 2 ounces mozzarella pearls (out of 4 ounces), 1 cup cherry tomatoes (out of 2 cups), and 2 tablespoons fresh basil (out of ¼ cup) in a baking dish and mix well.
Add the boiled pasta and top with remaining 2 ounces mozzarella pearls and 1 cup grape tomatoes.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot throughout.
Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy!
How to Store
Refrigerate ay leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in microwave. If reheating on the stovetop, heat a saucepan on medium-low and adjust the consistency by adding 1/2 cup chicken broth.
If freezing, make pasta dish but wait to bake. Add everything to the baking dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake per instructions.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this meal to my family alongside some Garlic Bread Sticks and a bowl of delicious White Bean Soup. You can also add Grilled Chicken as a side dish. Don’t forget to add some Strawberry Lemonade to go with the summer theme!
This dish was so Delicious .A great twist for a Caprese dish.Definitely going into our recipe rotation! Thank You
If you add the mozzarella balls & bake, won’t they melt if in oven? I don’t even know when to drop mozzarella balls into pasta dish when cooking sauce on stove. If they stay in the ball shape, won’t they be cold yet? Thanks
Yes, the mozzarella balls will start to melt in the oven! It’s part of what makes this dish delicious!!
This has become a go-to meal for us! I literally make it every other week and it’s always a crowd pleaser. Thanks for this amazing recipe!
So happy to hear that!
Hi! This looks great! If I can’t find mozzarella pearls, can I buy a 16 oz mozzarella ball and just cut small size pieces from it or do i need fresh mozzarella?
Absolutely! That would work great :)
Hi. I’m getting ready to make this for dinner. i assume in step 4, you mix the mixture with the pasta, and then pour it into the baking dish? that’s what i’m going to do anyway lol. looks yummy, but we like our pasta really saucy so, from the pics, looks like i may need to 1.5 times the sauce. seems perfect for a buy weeknight. :)
yes that’s right!! I hope you enjoy it :)
Thank you. It was delicious! And it made a lot, so I don’t have to cook tonight! ;)