Save Pin This Creamy Tomato Rebel-Float Pasta Bake is a cozy all-in-one dinner that brings together saucy pasta, tangy tomatoes, and a velvety cheese topping. It is ideal for nights when you want comfort food everyone will devour. Whether you are feeding a crowd or planning weekday leftovers, this bake becomes an instant favorite thanks to its creamy, tangy, and slightly rebellious twist.
This dish was born when I wanted to jazz up classic baked pasta for a weekend gathering. Now it is the most requested dish when cousins visit during holidays.
Ingredients
- Penne or rigatoni pasta: These sturdy shapes hold the sauce beautifully and stay al dente in the oven
- Canned crushed tomatoes: Choose high quality Italian-style for best flavor and vibrant color
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and creates that irresistible creamy sauce
- Mozzarella cheese: Opt for whole milk mozzarella to achieve a melty golden crown
- Parmesan cheese: Brings umami and a slightly salty finish. Buy a wedge and grate it yourself for best results
- Fresh basil: Gives a pop of color and aromatic freshness. Seek out fragrant, unwilted leaves
- Garlic cloves: Essential for depth. Select firm bulbs with tight skins
- Salt and black pepper: Builds and balances flavor throughout
- Crushed red pepper: Optional for a gentle spicy backnote
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with well-salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta two minutes shy of package directions. Drain well and set aside. Undercooking ensures the pasta will not turn mushy in the oven.
- Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce:
- In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned about two minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer ten minutes until thickened slightly.
- Add the Cream and Seasoning:
- Pour in heavy cream stirring until the sauce turns a soft pink. Add salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to your liking. Simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Combine with Pasta:
- Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce ensuring each piece is coated. Layer in torn fresh basil for bursts of herbal brightness.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Transfer half of the sauced pasta to a buttered baking dish. Scatter half of the mozzarella and parmesan over top. Add the rest of the pasta then blanket with remaining cheeses.
- Bake Until Golden:
- Bake uncovered in a hot oven until the top is deeply golden and bubbling around the edges about twenty five to thirty minutes. Let rest before serving for a sliceable texture.
Save Pin I never skip fresh basil because it instantly lifts the whole dish. Once my niece declared it tastes like summer even in the middle of January. This bake is our edible family gathering.
Storage Tips
Let leftovers cool to room temperature before covering and refrigerating. It keeps well for up to four days. For longer storage portion into airtight containers and freeze it up to one month. To reheat thaw in the fridge and bake covered until hot and bubbly again.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use gluten free pasta without changing the method. Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk if dairy free is needed. Fontina or provolone works beautifully if mozzarella is unavailable. Jarred basil pesto can add herbiness if fresh basil is out of season.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a simple green salad with a lemony vinaigrette to balance the richness. Roasted garlic bread is a classic companion. For extra veggies stir in baby spinach or roasted red bell peppers during the sauce step.
A Bit of History
Versions of baked pasta have roots in Italian cuisine from Sicily to Naples but this creamy tomato twist is the creation of my family who love a bit of boldness in everything. The Rebel-Float name comes from winging it the first time and letting flavors float together in the dish.
Seasonal Adaptations
Sprinkle sweet summer cherry tomatoes over the top before baking for bursts of juicy flavor. In autumn add cubes of roasted butternut or pumpkin to the sauce for a sweeter twist. During the winter stir in sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions to make it heartier.
Success Stories
One reader shared that she made this pasta for a friend who had just had a baby and it quickly became their go-to comfort meal. My own family cheers when they see the bubbling pan come out of the oven and it never lasts until the next day.
Freezer Meal Conversion
Assemble the pasta bake completely but do not bake. Wrap tightly and freeze up to one month. When ready to eat thaw overnight and bake as directed adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time until the center is hot.
Save Pin This pasta bake will warm your kitchen and gather friends around the table. Enjoy its rich creaminess with each rebellious bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of pasta works best?
Short shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli hold sauce well and bake evenly in the creamy tomato mixture.
- → Is fresh tomato suitable?
Fresh tomatoes can be used if peeled and crushed, but canned or pureed tomatoes offer consistent texture and taste.
- → Can I add protein?
Chicken, sausage, or chickpeas can be included for added protein, mixing in before baking for an even cook.
- → What cheeses complement this dish?
Mozzarella and parmesan deliver creamy melt and sharp flavor, while cheddar adds richness. Mix for more complexity.
- → How do I achieve a golden top?
Sprinkle shredded cheese before baking and use a broiler briefly at the end to create a perfectly golden crust.