Baked Four-Cheese Italian Pasta with Herb Breadcrumb Topping
A comforting baked pasta dish layered with four Italian cheeses and finished with a crisp herb breadcrumb crust. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs penne pasta, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 9 minutes until al dente, then drain.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup shredded fontina, 1 cup whole milk, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Stir in the cooked penne pasta until fully coated.
- Step 3: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta.
- Step 4: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crisp. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Four-Cheese Italian Pasta with Herb Breadcrumb Topping take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Four-Cheese Italian Pasta with Herb Breadcrumb Topping?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Four-Cheese Italian Pasta with Herb Breadcrumb Topping?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Four-Cheese Italian Pasta with Herb Breadcrumb Topping for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Four-Cheese Italian Pasta with Herb Breadcrumb Topping?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
