Four-Cheese Penne with Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme
Tender penne pasta tossed in a luscious sauce of roasted garlic and four cheeses, brightened with fresh thyme. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs penne pasta, olive oil, whole, halved horizontally garlic bulb for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 whole, halved horizontally garlic bulb
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz, softened and cubed cream cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over 1 halved garlic bulb, place cut side up on foil, and roast for 30 minutes until golden and soft.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 3: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves out of the bulb into a large skillet and heat over medium. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 cup heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Step 4: Add 4 oz softened cream cheese cubes, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/3 cup ricotta cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously over medium-low heat until cheeses melt and sauce thickens, about 4 minutes.
- Step 5: Add cooked penne to the sauce along with 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, and reserved pasta water 1-2 tbsp at a time to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss gently until pasta is evenly coated and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Four-Cheese Penne with Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 Penne with Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme?
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 Penne with Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme?
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 Penne with Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Penne with Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme?
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.
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