Herbed 3 Cheese Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Herbed 3 Cheese Bake, a luscious blend of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheeses. This oven-baked pasta dish is elevated with the fresh, fragrant flavors of basil, parsley, and thyme, creating the perfect harmony of herbs and cheese in every bite. Tossed in a velvety garlic-infused cream sauce and topped with a golden, bubbly layer of melted cheese, this recipe is both decadent and satisfying. Quick to assemble in just 15 minutes, it bakes to perfection in under 30, making it an easy yet impressive choice for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Serve this cheesy pasta bake with a crisp side salad or garlic bread for an irresistible meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams Penne pasta (or similar short pasta)
- 200 grams Ricotta cheese
- 200 grams Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 250 milliliters Heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a medium-sized baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream. Allow it to warm gently for about 2 minutes.
Add the ricotta cheese, stirring until smooth and well-combined with the cream. Follow by mixing in half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir in the chopped basil, parsley, and fresh thyme.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it gently to coat it evenly in the creamy herb and cheese sauce.
Transfer the cheesy pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2850 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 206.6 g | 265% | |
| Saturated Fat | 118.2 g | 591% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 661 mg | 220% | |
| Sodium | 5613 mg | 244% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.7 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.7 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g | ||
| Protein | 124.0 g | 248% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3438 mg | 264% | |
| Iron | 6.0 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 622 mg | 13% | |
*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.
