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Quick & Delicious Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake

Close-up of a creamy baked pasta dish, likely mac and cheese, featuring a golden, crispy topping and cheese pull, highlighting the garlic parmesan flavor.
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You can make this creamy, cheesy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake in under 30 minutes. It is the ultimate comfort food featuring savory garlic flavor and a delightful topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, start the sauce. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  5. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Then, slowly whisk in the heavy cream and milk.
  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  7. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 1 1/2 cups of Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  8. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat all the pasta evenly.
  9. Pour the pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the pasta.
  11. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
  12. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For an even quicker meal, use pre-shredded Parmesan cheese, but grating it fresh provides superior melting quality.
  • You can add cooked, shredded chicken to this recipe to make it a complete meal.
  • If you want a crispier topping, broil the dish for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/garlic-parmesan-pasta-bake-quick-dinner/