Cheese Pasta Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, cheesy pasta bake—a family-friendly dish that combines perfectly cooked pasta with a luscious three-cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. Topped with a golden, crispy breadcrumb crust, this crowd-pleasing recipe is as satisfying as it is simple to make. Whether you're preparing it for a cozy weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering, this baked pasta dish is sure to impress. Ready in under an hour, it features pantry staples like pasta, butter, and flour, along with a rich homemade roux that serves as the base for the velvety cheese sauce. Serve this cheesy pasta bake straight out of the oven for a bubbling, melted masterpiece that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Perfect for meal prep and reheats like a dream—making your leftovers just as irresistible.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams pasta (penne or rotini)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a light coat of olive oil or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. 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 to form a roux.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese, reserving a small handful of each for topping. Mix until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Add the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to the cheese sauce. Stir well to incorporate.
Combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle the reserved cheeses on top.
In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the olive oil, then sprinkle them evenly over the cheese layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
547 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.9 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.8 g | 99% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 89 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 985 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.5 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.5 g | ||
| Protein | 26.2 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 627 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 269 mg | 6% | |
*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.
