Canned Tomato Soup Baked Pasta: A Comfort Food Classic

In the realm of comfort food, few dishes can compare to the heartwarming embrace of a baked pasta. It’s a dish that evokes memories of family gatherings, cozy evenings, and the simple joy of a meal made with care. Among the plethora of baked pasta recipes, one stands out for its simplicity, accessibility, and sheer deliciousness—the canned tomato soup baked pasta. This dish is a testament to the art of transforming humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. Let’s delve into the layers of this comforting dish, exploring its components, variations, and the secrets to its irresistible charm.

The Foundation: Understanding the Ingredients

Canned Tomato Soup

The star of this dish is the canned tomato soup, a pantry staple known for its rich flavor and velvety texture. When used in baked pasta, it creates a sauce that’s both tangy and creamy, enveloping the pasta in a comforting blanket of tomato goodness. The convenience of canned soup makes this dish an easy go-to for busy weeknights or impromptu dinner parties.

Pasta Choices

Pasta, the canvas of our dish, comes in various shapes and sizes. While penne, rigatoni, or fusilli are popular choices for their ability to hold sauce well, the truth is, any pasta can be the backbone of this dish. The key is to cook it just until al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven, soaking up the flavorful tomato soup sauce.

Cheesy Delight

Cheese plays a dual role in this dish: it adds depth to the flavor and creates a golden, bubbly crust that’s hard to resist. Mozzarella offers gooeyness, while Parmesan brings a salty, nutty bite. The combination results in a rich and complex flavor profile that elevates the dish from simple to sublime.

The Crispy Topping

Breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and sprinkled over the top add a crunchy contrast to the soft pasta below. This textural play not only delights the palate but also adds visual appeal, making the dish as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.

The Assembly: Crafting the Dish

The Sauce

The journey begins with the sauce—a simmering blend of canned tomato soup, aromatics like garlic and onion, and a splash of milk or water. The addition of Italian herbs infuses the sauce with a fragrance that promises a delicious meal.

Combining the Elements

Once the pasta is cooked and the sauce is simmering, the two come together, each strand of pasta getting coated in the rich, tomatoey sauce. This is when the magic happens—the flavors begin to meld, setting the stage for the transformation in the oven.

Layering and Baking

Transferring the saucy pasta into a baking dish, layering it with generous amounts of cheese, and topping it with the breadcrumb mixture is an act of love. As the dish bakes, the cheese melts, the sauce bubbles, and the breadcrumbs turn a golden brown. The aroma that fills the kitchen is a prelude to the deliciousness that awaits.

Serving and Enjoying

The final step in the journey of the canned tomato soup baked pasta is perhaps the most rewarding—serving and enjoying. As the dish comes out of the oven, steaming and golden, it’s a moment of appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of comfort food. Each serving, with its stretchy cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and crunchy topping, is a reminder that the best meals are often the ones that are made with basic ingredients, a bit of creativity, and a lot of love.

Canned Tomato Soup Baked Pasta Recipe

This recipe transforms a simple can of tomato soup into a rich and comforting baked pasta dish. It’s perfect for those evenings when you crave something hearty yet straightforward. Adding cheese and a breadcrumb topping creates a delightful crust over the pasta, making it irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 1 lb (450g) pasta of your choice (e.g., penne, rigatoni)
• Salt, for the pasta water

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed tomato soup
• 1 can (using the tomato soup can) of milk or water (for a creamier sauce, use milk)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Topping:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• Optional: Red pepper flakes, for a bit of heat

Preparation Directions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Dish:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. Cooking the Pasta:

1. Boil the Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until just shy of al dente (it will continue cooking in the oven).
2. Drain and Set Aside: Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.

3. Making the Sauce:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
2. Add Tomato Soup and Milk/Water: Stir in the condensed tomato soup and a can of milk or water. Mix well to combine.
3. Season the Sauce: Add the dried Italian herbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Combining Pasta and Sauce:

1. Combine: In the pot with the drained pasta, pour the tomato soup sauce over the pasta. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is coated evenly with the sauce.

5. Assembling the Dish:

1. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
2. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta.
3. Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
4. Add Heat (Optional): If you like a bit of spice, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top.

6. Baking:

1. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.

7. Serving:

1. Cool Slightly: Let the baked pasta sit for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven.
2. Serve: Cut into squares and serve hot. Enjoy the comforting and creamy goodness of your canned tomato soup baked pasta!

This dish is a fantastic way to turn a simple can of tomato soup into a satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or when you need a comforting meal without too much fuss. Enjoy!