Baked Cream Cheese Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil Recipe

Introduction

This baked cream cheese pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines creamy cheese, roasted tomatoes, and fresh herbs. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy weeknight meal that feels special without requiring much effort.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 16 oz grape or roma tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 16 oz pasta, such as bowties, rotini, shells or any small-shaped pasta
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 lemon, juiced

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place the cream cheese in the bottom of a baking dish and arrange the tomatoes around it. Drizzle the olive oil over the cream cheese and tomatoes, then sprinkle the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper evenly on top. Dot the tomatoes with the butter in three separate spots.
2. Step 2: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and golden brown. While the dish bakes, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Step 3: Remove the baking dish from the oven and use a spoon to gently mash and stir the cream cheese and tomatoes together to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta, chopped basil, and lemon juice to the sauce. Stir well to combine and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking for a subtle heat.
• You can substitute fresh thyme with oregano or rosemary depending on your herb preference.
• Use sun-dried tomatoes if fresh tomatoes aren’t in season; soak them briefly in warm water to soften before baking.
• Feel free to toss in cooked chicken or sautéed mushrooms to make the dish heartier.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much during storage.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of cream cheese?

Cream cheese is key for creating the creamy texture in this dish, but you can experiment with mascarpone or ricotta for a slightly different flavor and consistency. Just keep in mind the baking time and moisture levels might vary.

What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?

Small shaped pasta like bowties, rotini, or shells work best as they hold the sauce well. However, any short pasta you have on hand will work nicely.

Baked Cream Cheese Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 109 reviews

Baked Cream Cheese Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring a creamy tomato sauce made by baking cream cheese and fresh tomatoes with herbs and seasonings. Combined with perfectly cooked pasta, fresh basil, and a touch of lemon juice, this recipe offers a deliciously easy dinner that is both creamy and tangy.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 16 oz grape or roma tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter

Seasonings & Herbs

• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Pasta

• 16 oz pasta, such as bowties, rotini, shells or any small-shaped pasta

Additional Flavor

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the cream cheese at the bottom of a baking dish, then add the tomatoes around the cream cheese. Drizzle olive oil over the cream cheese and tomatoes, and evenly sprinkle the chopped garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper on top. Dot the surface with three pads of butter.
2. Bake the Sauce: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and golden brown on top. While baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta when done.
3. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Using a spoon, gently crush and stir the baked tomatoes and cream cheese together to create a smooth, creamy sauce while it is still warm. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with the chopped fresh basil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly, then serve immediately and enjoy your creamy baked cream cheese pasta.

Notes

• Use any small-shaped pasta like bowties, rotini, or shells for better sauce coverage.
• Fresh tomatoes give the best flavor, but cherry or grape tomatoes work well too.
• Adjust seasoning to your taste; add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• For a richer dish, use full-fat cream cheese and butter.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
• The lemon juice at the end adds brightness and cuts through the richness of the cream cheese.

Keywords: baked cream cheese pasta, creamy tomato pasta, baked pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, comfort food pasta