Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work best)
- Salt, for water
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, but adds a nice depth of flavor)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain the Pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water to help thin out the sauce if needed.
Make the Cheese Sauce
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Allow it to come to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Melt the Cheeses: Gradually add the ricotta, mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan to the pan. Stir constantly until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce
- Add Pasta to Sauce: Once the cheese sauce is ready, add the drained pasta to the pan. Stir well to coat each piece of pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Adjust the Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Divide the pasta into bowls and sprinkle with extra parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 min.
- Cook Time: 20 min.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g