Baked Four-Cheese Pasta with Fresh Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

A rich and comforting baked pasta dish featuring four types of cheese and aromatic fresh basil, perfect for cozy dinners. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs penne pasta, mozzarella cheese, parmesan 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 shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add 12 oz penne pasta. Cook for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne, tomato sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Stir gently to coat all pasta evenly.
4. Step 4: Transfer half the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup shredded fontina evenly over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta on top, then sprinkle the remaining cheeses.
5. Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25 minutes at 375°F until the cheese melts and starts to bubble and lightly brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.