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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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
Directions
Step 1
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.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to 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 for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux.
Step 4
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5
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.
Step 6
Add the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to the cheese sauce. Stir well to incorporate.
Step 7
Combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
Step 8
Transfer the pasta mixture to the greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle the reserved cheeses on top.
Step 9
In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the olive oil, then sprinkle them evenly over the cheese layer.
Step 10
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Step 11
Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1669.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3254.7 |
| Total Fat 190.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 108.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2g | |
| Cholesterol 565.5mg | 0% |
| Sodium 6615.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 237.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 46.3g | |
| Protein 155.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 379.0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 3832.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 9.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1710.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories