One-Pot Creamy Baked Penne

Short on time? Try this one-pot deliciousness. My favorite quick-and-easy way to enjoy comfort food on a busy day!

Ingredients
1 lb of penne
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
14 1/2-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 cups/1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1/2 cup pitted olives
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tsp Italian seasoning/dried herbs
1/4 cup olive oil
About 1-2 cups of water (or just enough to cover the pasta)
1 cup of dairy-free mozzarella
1/4 cup fresh basil, torn + 1/4 fresh basil finely chopped (divided)

Directions
Preheat oven to 372°F

In a large baking dish, place the dried penne, sprinkle salt and drizzle the olive oil and gently toss everything together

Add the garlic, onions, red pepper, can of crushed tomatoes, marinara, olives, red pepper flakes, dried herbs/Italian seasoning, black pepper & 1/4 cup of the torn basil on top of the penne & toss everything together to make sure each penne is seasoned throughout

Add water & toss all the ingredients again to evenly distribute them throughout the baking dish

Sprinkle the dairy-free cheese on top of the penne

Bake in the preheated oven for around 35-40 minutes or until the top is bubbly & browned a little

Sprinkle the remaining fresh basil on top, just before serving