Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole Recipe

by

🧀 Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole Recipe

📝 Introduction:

Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole is the ultimate comfort food — creamy, golden, bubbling with cheese, and bursting with flavor. It’s a dish that combines the heartiness of pasta with the richness of multiple cheeses and a creamy base. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners, this casserole is warm, filling, and satisfying.

🧾 Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

  • 1 lb (450g) rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • Water & salt for boiling

For the Cheese Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt to taste

Cheese Blend (adjust as desired):

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Optional Add-ins:

  • 1 cup cooked chicken or ground beef
  • 1/2 cup sautéed spinach or kale
  • 1/2 cup caramelized onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley or basil

🧑‍🍳 Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Make the roux: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for 2–3 minutes until it forms a smooth paste.
  4. Add milk & cream: Slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  5. Season: Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  6. Add cheese: Stir in 1.5 cups cheddar, 1 cup mozzarella, and Monterey Jack until melted into a smooth sauce.
  7. Combine: Mix the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. If using, fold in optional ingredients like chicken or vegetables.
  8. Assemble: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  9. Bake: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
  10. Cool & Serve: Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

🍴 Methods Overview:

  • Boiling: Cooking pasta until just firm (al dente).
  • Roux Preparation: Cooking butter and flour to create a thickening base for sauce.
  • Cheese Melting: Gradually melting cheese into hot milk for a creamy texture.
  • Baking: Final step to achieve golden, crisp top layer.

📜 History:

The concept of baked pasta dates back to medieval Italy, where casseroles of layered pasta, sauce, and cheese were often served at royal feasts. Over centuries, this dish evolved, with variations like macaroni and cheese in the United States and gratin-style bakes in France. The modern version blends comfort and creativity, with ingredients tailored to regional and family preferences.

💪 Benefits:

  • High in calcium and protein (from cheese and milk)
  • Energy-boosting (carbs from pasta)
  • Customizable – add vegetables or lean meat
  • Kid-friendly and loved by picky eaters
  • Great for meal prep – reheats well

🧬 Formation:

This casserole forms a layered structure:

  1. Pasta base coated in creamy cheese sauce
  2. Optional ingredients blended evenly
  3. Topped with cheese blend that forms a crusty golden top after baking

❤️ Conclusion:

Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole is more than a meal — it’s a nostalgic embrace of flavor, warmth, and love. Ideal for weeknights, celebrations, or lazy Sundays, it brings families and friends together around the table. One bite and you’ll understand why this dish has stood the test of time.

💕 Lovers of this Dish:

  • Kids for its creamy and cheesy texture
  • Students for its ease and affordability
  • Busy parents for its prep-ahead convenience
  • Cheese lovers for its gooey, golden finish
  • Vegetarians (when made without meat) for its hearty satisfaction

🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving Approx.):

  • Calories: 460 kcal
  • Protein: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fat: 24g
  • Calcium: 320mg
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 4g
    Based on 8 servings

🔁 Methods Recap:

  • Boil pasta al dente
  • Make a roux-based cheese sauce
  • Mix, top, and bake
  • Optional: customize with proteins or veggies
  • Cool slightly before serving

💞 Final Conclusion with Lovers:

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy night in, Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole is an irresistibly rich and creamy dish that lovers of comfort food will adore. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family tradition, requested again and again. Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for the perfect meal — and share it with someone you love.

Leave a Comment