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Cheesy Pasta Bake with Tomatoes

A simple pasta bake with tinned tomatoes, cheese and a crispy top. Costs about 35p per portion and uses store cupboard ingredients.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: british, Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 300g dried pasta (penne, fusilli or macaroni)
  • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs or oregano
  • 100g cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 pinch salt and black pepper
  • 200ml water

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan) and grease a medium baking dish.
  2. Boil the pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than the packet says, then drain. It will finish cooking in the oven.
  3. Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, dried herbs, water, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Combine the pasta and tomato sauce in the baking dish, then scatter the grated cheese evenly over the top.
  6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling and the pasta is tender.
  7. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving - it will be very hot straight from the oven.