Description
This creamy garlic parmesan pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich, garlicky cream sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to golden perfection, this one-dish wonder is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. Simple ingredients come together to create restaurant-quality flavor that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound penne pasta (or rigatoni, ziti)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. Do not rinse—the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Make the Garlic Cream Sauce: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic, whisking constantly for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- Add the Liquids: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, milk, and broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Add the Cheese and Seasonings: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in 1 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until every piece of pasta is evenly coated with the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese, distributing them evenly over the surface.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. This allows the pasta to heat through evenly without the top browning too quickly.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and turning golden brown in spots.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Al Dente is Key: Don’t overcook the pasta during the boiling stage as it will continue cooking in the oven. Aim for al dente texture.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce seems too thick, thin it with a splash of pasta cooking water or additional broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer before adding the cheese.
- Cheese Quality: Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Make it Heartier: Add cooked chicken, Italian sausage, crispy bacon, or sautéed mushrooms for extra protein and flavor.
- Vegetable Additions: Stir in steamed broccoli, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers before baking.
- Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preference, or omit entirely for a milder dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 95mg