Marra's Pasta and Cheese Comfort

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Marra's Pasta and Cheese Comfort, a baked pasta dish brimming with cheesy, golden perfection. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a luscious, velvety sauce made from sharp cheddar, gooey mozzarella, and nutty parmesan, all enhanced by a subtle kick of Dijon mustard and paprika. Topped with crunchy, golden breadcrumbs, this crowd-pleasing casserole bakes to bubbling perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect for family dinners or indulgent gatherings, this creamy baked pasta recipe delivers a heartwarming balance of flavor and texture that will have everyone going back for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 200 grams sharp cheddar cheese
• 150 grams mozzarella cheese
• 50 grams parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a smooth roux.

Step 4

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low.

Step 6

Add the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese to the sauce, one handful at a time. Stir until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl. Mix well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the pasta.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy your 'Marra's Pasta and Cheese Comfort'!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1673.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4041.3

Total Fat 194.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 106.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2g
Cholesterol 537.1mg	0%
Sodium 4493.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 402.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.0g	0%
Total Sugars 42.0g
Protein 186.1g	0%

Vitamin D 346.1IU	0%
Calcium 3863.7mg	0%
Iron 19.0mg	0%
Potassium 2172.2mg	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: 42.6%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 39.3%