cheesy creamy caprese... pasta

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 cup of pasta sauce (I made my own, see recipe below)
• 1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half
• 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese + more for garnish
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes
• 1 pint of grape tomatoes (I cut mine into 4ths)
• 1 bunch of fresh basil leaves (julienned)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Directions

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat pasta sauce over low heat in a large saucepan.
3. Once its warm, stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan.
4. Once pasta is done cooking, drain and mix in with the sauce, mixing to coat and turning off heat.
5. Fold in mozzarella cubes and tomatoes, then julienne 3-4 fresh basil leaves and add them in too.
6. Once combined, spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and pour the entire pasta mixture into the dish.
7. Top with shredded mozzarella.
8. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Top with additional fresh basil and grated cheese.  Yummmmm

Pasta Sauce

 Ingredients

• Drizzle of olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup tomato paste
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tsp dry oregano
• 1 tsp dry basil
• 1 tsp dry thyme

Directions

1. Add olive oil to sauce pan and warm the garlic (don’t over cook)
2. Mix in the tomato sauce and paste and water
3. Add oregano, basil, and thyme
4. Simmer about 5 minutes