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Crispy Four Cheese Pasta Bake

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A comforting and easy-to-make pasta bake featuring a blend of four cheeses and a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb crust. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni or penne pasta
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup (110 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup (110 g) shredded fontina cheese
  • 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet or saucepan, melt 3 tbsp (42 g) butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
  5. Gradually pour in milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook and stir until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Stir in Dijon mustard, onion powder (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  7. Add shredded mozzarella, cheddar, fontina, and parmesan cheeses to the sauce. Stir gently until cheese melts smoothly.
  8. Fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
  9. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp melted butter.
  10. Pour cheesy pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle breadcrumb topping over the pasta.
  11. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until top is golden brown and crispy and cheese sauce is bubbly.
  12. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it will finish cooking in the oven. Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent grainy sauce. Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with butter for a lighter, crispier crust. If top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil or broil for 1-2 minutes at the end. For gluten-free, substitute pasta and flour accordingly. Dairy-free alternatives can be used but crust texture will differ.

Nutrition

Keywords: four cheese pasta bake, crispy pasta bake, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, easy pasta bake, baked pasta, family dinner

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/crispy-four-cheese-pasta-bake-recipe-easy-homemade-golden-crust/