Baked Four-Cheese Pasta With Tomatoes And Basil

Name: Baked Four-Cheese Pasta With Tomatoes And Basil
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Bread Crumb Topping; 12 slices white bread, with crusts torn into quarters; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce); 1/4 teaspoon table salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper; Pasta and Cheese Sauce; 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded (about 1 cup); 3 ounces gorgonzola, crumbled (about 3/4 cup); 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese (1 ounce); 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce); 1 lb penne pasta; 1 tablespoon table salt; 2 teaspoons unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained; 1/4 teaspoon table salt; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaf

Servings: persons

Bread Crumb Topping
12 slices white bread, with crusts torn into quarters
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce)
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pasta and Cheese Sauce
4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
3 ounces gorgonzola, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese (1 ounce)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce)
1 lb penne pasta
1 tablespoon table salt
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaf

1
For the topping:
2
Pulse bread in food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about ten 1-second pulses (you should have about 1 1/2 cups).
3
Transfer to small bowl; stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
4
Set mixture aside.
5
For the pasta:
6
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees.
7
Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot.
8
Combine cheeses in large bowl; set aside.
9
Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water; stir to separate pasta.
10
While pasta is cooking, melt butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat; whisk flour into butter until no lumps remain, about 30 seconds.
11
Gradually whisk in cream, add tomatoes, and increase heat to medium, and bring to boil, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute to ensure that flour cooks.
12
Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; cover cream mixture to keep hot and set aside.
13
When pasta is very al dente (when bitten into, pasta should be opaque and slightly underdone at very center), drain about 5 seconds, leaving pasta slightly wet.
14
Add pasta to bowl with cheeses; immediately pour cream mixture over, then cover bowl with foil or large plate and let stand 3 minutes.
15
Uncover bowl and stir with rubber spatula, scraping bottom of bowl, until cheeses are melted and mixture is thoroughly combined. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.
16
Transfer pasta to 13 by 9-inch baking dish, then sprinkle evenly with reserved bread crumbs, pressing down lightly.
17
Bake until topping is golden brown, about 7 minutes.
18
Serve immediately.

988

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 19 ingredients. The key ingredients include: Bread Crumb Topping, 12 slices white bread, with crusts torn into quarters, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce), 1/4 teaspoon table salt, and more.

Yes, Baked Four-Cheese Pasta With Tomatoes And Basil falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!