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Four Cheese Pasta


  • Author: Martha
  • Total Time: 30 min.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Allow it to come to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  3. 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.
  4. Season the Sauce: Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Combine the Pasta and Sauce

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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