Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake (Print-Friendly Version)
Gooey cheese and pasta blend with velvety garlic sauce under a crisp topping for a rich, filling baked dish everyone craves.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Pasta and Dairy
01 -
12 ounces uncooked pasta like ziti, penne, or rigatoni
02 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 -
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
04 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 -
2 cups whole milk
06 -
1 cup heavy cream
07 -
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Garnish
11 -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 -
Lemon wedge for serving (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 -
Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Toss in your pasta and cook until just tender but still firm. Drain well and set it aside.
02 -
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Toss in chopped garlic and cook until it smells amazing, about 1 minute. Add flour and whisk for around 30 seconds, stirring non-stop.
03 -
Pour in milk and heavy cream bit by bit, whisking all the time to avoid any clumps forming. Keep whisking until everything's smooth and starts getting thicker, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
04 -
Turn down the heat to low. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix until cheese melts completely and your sauce looks silky. Take it off the heat.
05 -
Dump the cooked pasta into a large bowl and pour the garlic sauce over it. Mix everything together until the pasta's totally covered. Scoop the mixture into a greased baking dish and sprinkle mozzarella all over the top.
06 -
Get your oven hot at 375°F (190°C). Stick the dish on the middle rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until you see bubbles and the cheese turns a nice golden brown.
07 -
Pull it out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Scatter some chopped parsley on top and squeeze some lemon juice over if you want. Serve it while it's hot.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Want more protein? Just add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or crunchy bacon before you pop it in the oven. For an extra crispy top, switch to broil for the last 2–3 minutes to get that perfect golden crust.