Four-Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil
A comforting baked pasta featuring a blend of mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, and fontina cheeses infused with fresh basil. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, minced garlic 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz penne pasta. Cook for 10 minutes until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups marinara sauce and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne, marinara sauce mixture, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup shredded fontina, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Mix until evenly combined.
- Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake uncovered for 25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Step 6: Let rest 5 minutes before serving to let the cheese set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Four-Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Four-Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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 Four-Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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 Four-Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil 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 Four-Cheese Baked Pasta with Fresh Basil?
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.
