Creamy Cheesy Baked Pasta

Name: Creamy Cheesy Baked Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Comfort Food
Ingredients: 250 grams Penne Pasta (or any short pasta like macaroni or rotini); 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter; 2 cloves Garlic (minced); 1 cup Heavy Cream (240ml); 1.5 cups Cheddar Cheese (shredded); 0.5 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded); 1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste); 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste); 0.5 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (optional, for extra flavor); 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish (optional))

A quick and incredibly satisfying recipe for a creamy, cheesy baked pasta, perfect for a comforting meal. This dish features al dente pasta smothered in a rich, flavorful cream sauce, topped with a generous layer of melty cheese, then baked to golden perfection. It's an easy-to-make dish that delivers maximum comfort food appeal.

#Comfort food

#Pasta

#Cheesy

#Baked

#Creamy

#Quick

#Easy

#Dinner

#Family meal

Cooked pasta in a rich cream sauce

Recipe Information

10m

Prep Time

25m

Cook Time

35m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Comfort Food

English

Nutrition (per serving)

550

Calories

20g

Protein

45g

Carbs

35g

Fat

Pasta transferred to baking dish with cheese

Ingredients

Servings: 4

💡 Tip: Check off ingredients as you add them to keep track of your progress!

Golden brown cheesy baked pasta

Instructions

0/6 completed

1
Boil a pot of salted water. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
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10m
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Boil a pot of salted water. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
10m
Ensure the water is generously salted for flavorful pasta.
2
While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
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2m
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While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
2m
Be careful not to burn the garlic; it can quickly turn bitter.
3
Pour in the heavy cream. Stir in salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
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3m
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Pour in the heavy cream. Stir in salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
3m
Keep the heat medium-low to prevent the cream from splitting or boiling too vigorously.
4
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the cream sauce. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated.
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1m
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Add the cooked and drained pasta to the cream sauce. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated.
1m
Mixing immediately after draining helps the pasta absorb the sauce better.
5
Transfer the pasta mixture to a medium-sized baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta.
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2m
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Transfer the pasta mixture to a medium-sized baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta.
2m
For extra crispiness, you can add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs over the cheese.
6
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
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15m
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Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
15m
Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for a crispier, golden-brown cheese topping, watching closely to prevent burning.