Three-Cheese Baked Pasta with Herb Crust
A creamy baked pasta dish featuring a golden herb-crusted topping, made with a blend of three cheeses for rich flavor. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs penne pasta, butter, all-purpose flour 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 ounces penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 12 ounces penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk until smooth, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves until cheese melts.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooked penne, cheese sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 4: Mix 1/4 cup chopped parsley with remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Three-Cheese Baked Pasta with Herb Crust take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 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 Three-Cheese Baked Pasta with Herb Crust?
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 Three-Cheese Baked Pasta with Herb Crust?
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 Three-Cheese Baked Pasta with Herb Crust 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 Three-Cheese Baked Pasta with Herb Crust?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for a dinner party and everyone raved.
- ★★★★★
Loved the blend of cheeses, so creamy and rich.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a weeknight dinner, so easy and delicious.
