3 Cheese Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible 3 Cheese Pasta Bake, a heavenly blend of tender penne pasta coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and topped with a golden breadcrumb crust. Featuring a trio of cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—paired with aromatic garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, this dish delivers bold flavors in every bite. Perfectly baked for a crispy, bubbly finish, this easy pasta bake recipe is ready in just 45 minutes and serves six, making it ideal for family dinners or potluck gatherings. Whether you're craving cheesy goodness or looking for a crowd-pleasing classic, this cheesy pasta bake is sure to satisfy.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g penne pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 750 ml whole milk
- 200 g grated cheddar cheese
- 150 g shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 50 g breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a large baking dish with a little oil or butter.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste forms.
Gradually add the milk to the saucepan while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, ensuring all the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Mix until the breadcrumbs are slightly moistened.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta in the baking dish.
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4211 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 206.4 g | 265% | |
| Saturated Fat | 114.3 g | 572% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 595 mg | 198% | |
| Sodium | 6910 mg | 300% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 403.2 g | 147% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.1 g | 65% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.2 g | ||
| Protein | 193.7 g | 387% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.8 mcg | 49% | |
| Calcium | 4067 mg | 313% | |
| Iron | 20.1 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 2282 mg | 49% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
