Description
Cheesy Oven-Baked Party Pasta is the ultimate comfort dish that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, cheesy delight. This crowd-pleaser features tender pasta enveloped in a rich cheese sauce, topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners, it promises to impress every guest and leave them craving more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot; cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add spinach until wilted.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir in cheddar and half of the Parmesan until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Combine cooked pasta with the creamy sauce until well-coated.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish; sprinkle remaining Parmesan and breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg