Pasta Cheese Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy, cheesy Pasta Cheese Casserole! Featuring al dente penne pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce made from a trio of cheeses—sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this baked dish is a crowd-pleaser. A perfectly crisp breadcrumb topping, seasoned with a hint of garlic and paprika, adds delightful texture to every bite. Easy to prepare and ready in just under an hour, this casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor, this bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece is sure to become a household favorite. Keywords: pasta casserole, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food recipes, easy baked dishes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 4 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp Paprika
- 0.75 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. When melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce, about 3-4 minutes.
Lower the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Adjust seasonings to taste. Remove from heat.
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and olive oil until the crumbs are lightly moistened. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
549 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.9 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.8 g | 99% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 89 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 1020 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.8 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.4 g | ||
| Protein | 26.1 g | 52% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 636 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 285 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.
