Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust Recipe

Name: Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter; 1 garlic clove, pressed; 3 tablespoons all purpose flour; 4 cups hot whole milk; 10 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 3 cups); 8 ounces hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 2 1/2 cups); 1 2/3 cups lightly packed grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; 1/2 cup whole almonds; 1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs; 1 pound short tube-shaped pasta (such as cavatapi or macaroni)

Servings: persons

3 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, pressed
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 cups hot whole milk
10 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 3 cups)
8 ounces hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 2/3 cups lightly packed grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup whole almonds
1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1 pound short tube-shaped pasta (such as cavatapi or macaroni)

1
Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
2
Add garlic; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3
Add flour; stir 3 minutes.
4
Whisk in hot milk.
5
Bring to simmer, stirring.
6
Cover partially; simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
7
Remove from heat.
8
Add cheddar and Jack cheese, 1 1/3 cups Parmesan cheese and hot pepper sauce.
9
Whisk until sauce is smooth.
10
Season with salt and pepper.
11
(Can be made 1 day ahead.
12
Cover; chill.
13
Whisk over medium heat to rewarm before using.)
14
Preheat oven to 400F.
15
Generously butter bottom and sides of 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
16
Blend 1/3 cup Parmesan, almonds and breadcrumbs in processor until nuts are coarsely ground.
17
Add 1/2 cup almond mixture to prepared dish.
18
Tilt dish to coat bottom and sides.
19
Return any loose almond mixture to processor.
20
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender.
21
Drain well.
22
Return pasta to pot.
23
Add sauce; stir to coat.
24
Transfer to prepared dish.
25
Sprinkle remaining almond mixture over.
26
Bake until almond mixture is golden and crunchy and sauce bubbles, about 30 minutes.
27
Cool on rack 5 minutes.

1542

kcal

Calories

Fat

124

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.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

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

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

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

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 tablespoons butter, 1 garlic clove, pressed, 3 tablespoons all purpose flour, 4 cups hot whole milk, and more.

Yes, Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust 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!

Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions