Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe
If you're a fan of the Cheesecake Factory's Four Cheese Pasta, then you'll be happy to know that you can easily recreate it at home. This creamy and delicious pasta dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or as a special occasion meal.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or fork
- Oven
- Meat thermometer (optional, but recommended for ensuring the chicken is cooked to the proper temperature)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pasta such as penne or rigatoni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the flour and cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, until thickened.
- Add the Parmesan, fontina, mozzarella, and Asiago cheeses, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat the pasta. Transfer the pasta to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the pasta.
- Bake the pasta for 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips and variations:
For a little extra flavor, try adding some diced sun-dried tomatoes or sliced mushrooms to the cheese sauce.
If you want a bit of a crunch, sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top before baking the pasta for 5-10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
For a lighter version, swap out the heavy cream for milk and reduce the amount of cheese used.
We hope you enjoy this homemade version of the Cheesecake Factory's Four Cheese Pasta as much as we do! It's a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
