Roasted Four-Cheese Pasta Bake with Thyme
A comforting baked pasta layered with a blend of four cheeses and fresh thyme, finished with a golden crust. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves minced 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
- 4 cloves garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup sharp white cheddar shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
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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 a boil and cook 12 oz penne pasta for 9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, simmering for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and mix in 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1 cup shredded white cheddar, and 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves until creamy and well combined.
- Step 4: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the cheese sauce gently to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil on top.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Four-Cheese Pasta Bake with Thyme 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 Roasted Four-Cheese Pasta Bake with 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 Roasted Four-Cheese Pasta Bake with 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 Roasted Four-Cheese Pasta Bake with Thyme 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 Roasted Four-Cheese Pasta Bake with 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.
