Baked Three Cheeses and Buttered Spirals

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Three Cheeses and Buttered Spirals recipe, a decadent blend of gooey cheese and buttery pasta that’s perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. Tender rotini pasta is coated in a rich, creamy sauce featuring a trio of cheeses—sharp cheddar, melty mozzarella, and tangy parmesan—then baked to golden perfection with an optional crunchy breadcrumb topping. Infused with the subtle warmth of garlic powder and a hint of black pepper, this dish delivers a depth of flavor that will delight your taste buds. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy-to-make, oven-baked pasta is as satisfying to prepare as it is to eat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a splash of color and fresh flavor, and serve hot for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s sure to become a household favorite. Keywords: baked three cheese pasta, buttered spirals, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food recipe, creamy baked pasta.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz spiral pasta (rotini)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs, optional
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spiral pasta (rotini) according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns a light golden color.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 6

Add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated parmesan to the sauce, one handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth.

Step 7

Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. If using breadcrumbs, sprinkle them evenly over the top for a crunchy topping.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1291.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2668.6

Total Fat 160.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 96.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 490.6mg	0%
Sodium 5426.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 191.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g	0%
Total Sugars 33.4g
Protein 127.3g	0%

Vitamin D 250.7IU	0%
Calcium 3143.2mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 1347.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.0%

Protein: 18.8%

Carbs: 28.2%