This Four Cheese Pasta is a creamy and cheesy delight that will make your taste buds sing! With four different types of cheese mixed into a rich sauce, it’s pure comfort food.
I can’t resist the gooey goodness of all that cheese! It’s like a cozy hug in a bowl. Try adding some garlic bread on the side for extra yumminess—you’ll thank me later!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Penne Pasta: This is my go-to pasta shape for baked dishes. If you don’t have penne, you can swap it with ziti or rigatoni—anything that holds sauce well!
Ricotta Cheese: It adds creaminess and richness. If you’re out of ricotta, cottage cheese works as a good substitute, but you’ll want to blend it to a smooth texture first.
Shredded Mozzarella: Great for melty pull! If you don’t have mozzarella, try Monterey Jack or even cheddar for a sharper taste.
Grated Parmesan: A must for a nutty flavor. If you run low, any hard cheese like Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano can replace it.
Fontina Cheese: Fontina gives a nice creaminess, but provolone or Gruyère can be used instead. They melt beautifully!
Marinara Sauce: Store-bought is fine, but homemade is even better. You can swap marinara with any favorite pasta sauce; just watch the spice level.
How Do I Get the Cheese Just Right?
Layering the cheese is crucial for the perfect melted, golden topping. Here’s how to do it:
- Mix half the cheese into the pasta for flavor.
- Layer half on the bottom for melty goodness.
- Top with the remaining ricotta in dollops, giving delicious pockets of creaminess.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining cheeses evenly on the top. This ensures every bite has cheesy goodness!
Letting it cool for a few minutes after baking helps the dish set, making it easier to serve. You’ll get beautiful, cheesy slices!
How to Make Four Cheese Pasta
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese (or substitute with provolone)
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful dish takes about 10 minutes for preparation and around 25 minutes for baking. So, in about 35 minutes, you can have a wonderfully cheesy pasta ready to dig into!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is hot and ready for baking in no time!
2. Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until you can smell that delicious garlic aroma. Then, pour in the marinara sauce and stir in the heavy cream if you’re using it. Season with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 3-5 minutes, letting all those flavors meld together.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding in half of the ricotta cheese as you mix gently. This creates a rich, cheesy blend.
5. Layer the Pasta:
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a baking dish. Spread half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, and fontina (or provolone) cheeses evenly over the pasta. Then, layer the rest of the pasta mixture on top.
6. Add More Cheese:
Dollop the remaining ricotta cheese over the top of the layered pasta, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and fontina cheeses evenly across the surface. This will give you that gooey, cheesy topping!
7. Bake to Perfection:
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes. You want to see that cheese melt and turn a lovely golden brown color.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Once baked, take the pasta out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Now it’s time to dig in and enjoy your delicious, creamy, and cheesy Four Cheese Pasta!
Can I Use Different Types of Pasta?
Absolutely! While penne works great, you can use any pasta that holds sauce well, such as ziti, rotini, or even macaroni. Just adjust the cooking time if the pasta shape has a different cooking duration.
What If I Don’t Have Heavy Cream?
No problem! You can omit it entirely for a lighter dish, or substitute with milk or half-and-half if you prefer a bit of creaminess without the full richness of heavy cream.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave or warm it up in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
Yes! This recipe is already vegetarian as is. If you want to add more veggies, consider adding spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrition!
