Penne tossed in spicy tomato sauce, layered with cheeses, baked to golden perfection with fresh basil garnish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces penne pasta
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
04 - 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, adjusted to taste
05 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 1 teaspoon sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
→ Cheese
11 - ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil penne in salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper flakes; sauté 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant without browning.
04 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
05 - Remove sauce from heat and stir in chopped basil.
06 - Add drained penne to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
07 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle with half the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining cheeses.
08 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until cheese is melted, golden, and sauce is bubbling.
09 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with reserved basil and serve warm.
