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Three Cheese Italian Pasta Bake

Butter, garlic, flour and milk are the base of the sauce. Then oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper are added to the sauce. Next grated cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese are stirred into the sauce until melted. Cooked pasta is added to the sauce with canned diced tomatoes. The pasta mixture is poured into a baking dish, then topped with a bread crumbs and butter. Then the dish is covered with foil and baked until bubbly before the foil is removed to brown the top.
Course Pasta
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 16 oz penne pasta
  • 4 tbsp butter divided
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
  • ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese grated
  • ¼ cup fresh Parmesan grated
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
  • Cherry tomatoes & basil as garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package, removing from water a few minutes early.
  2. In a saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter.
  3. Add in minced garlic and whisk for 1 to 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk 1 to 2 minutes until flour mixture has a nutty aroma.
  5. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, while constantly whisking, and whisk until thickened.
  6. Stir in oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  7. Stir in grated cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan. Stir until cheeses are melted, set aside.
  8. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick spray.
  9. Add the pasta and tomatoes (with juices) to the cheese sauce. Gently toss to combine.
  10. Spread into pan.
  11. Top with bread crumbs and small tabs of remaining 1 tbsp butter.
  12. Cover dish with foil. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Turn oven to broil and remove foil. Cook for an additional 1 to 3 minutes to brown the top.