Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake Recipe
This creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious dish combining tender pasta with a rich garlic cream sauce, topped with a blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, then baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a perfect meal for cheese lovers seeking a hearty, flavorful pasta bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or penne pasta
Garlic Cream Sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Cream Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring continually. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the garlic cream sauce and stir well to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and the additional 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini instead of elbow macaroni.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce gives a subtle heat.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated for a creamier sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake, Creamy Pasta Bake, Baked Pasta, Italian Pasta Dish, Cheese Pasta Bake, Mozzarella Parmesan Pasta
Find it online: https://recipeswithria.com/garlic-parmesan-pasta-bake-recipe/
