4 Cheese Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this decadent 4 Cheese Pasta Bake, a creamy, cheesy oven-baked dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Featuring tender penne pasta smothered in a velvety, homemade cheese sauce made with mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and ricotta, this recipe delivers layers of rich, gooey flavor in every bite. Enhanced with hints of garlic, oregano, and a golden, bubbly top crust, this pasta bake is as satisfying as it is easy to prepare. Ready in just 45 minutes and serving up to six, it’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or buttery garlic bread. For extra flair, don’t forget the fresh parsley garnish before serving!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Penne pasta
- 50 grams Unsalted butter
- 50 grams All-purpose flour
- 500 milliliters Whole milk
- 200 milliliters Heavy cream
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 150 grams Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 150 grams Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 100 grams Ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour into the saucepan and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Be careful not to brown it.
Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir well.
Reduce the heat to low and add three-quarters of the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce, reserving some for topping later. Stir until the cheeses melt into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Gently fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is coated. Then, mix in the ricotta cheese for added creaminess.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the reserved mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses over the top to create a golden crust.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly crispy.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy this cheesy delight!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
604 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.6 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.1 g | 121% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 120 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 833 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.5 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.8 g | ||
| Protein | 24.4 g | 49% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 542 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 241 mg | 5% | |
*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.
