Baked Four-Cheese Pasta with Roasted Garlic
A rich and comforting baked pasta dish combining four cheeses with roasted garlic for deep flavor. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 60 minutes pairs penne pasta, whole garlic cloves, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 6 whole garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 6 whole garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and wrap in foil; roast for 25 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 12 oz penne pasta, and cook for 9 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup fontina shredded cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the mixture and stir until creamy.
- Step 4: Toss the cooked pasta with the cheese mixture until evenly coated, then transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 5: Drizzle the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil over the pasta and bake uncovered at 400°F for 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil over the top, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Four-Cheese Pasta with Roasted Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Pasta with Roasted Garlic?
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 Pasta with Roasted Garlic?
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 Pasta with Roasted Garlic 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 Pasta with Roasted Garlic?
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.
