Your Go-To Pasta Recipe for An Easy Dinner or New Mom
Parents have become experts at putting great things together on little time— art projects, outfits, and let’s face it, dinner. If you often find yourself in a mealtime pinch after a long day or better yet, have a new mom friend that could use a break to spend more time with baby, you’ll want to bookmark this one.
Our friends at Oh So Delicioso shared this Baked Three Cheese Italian Penne and it’s sure to become your new go-to.
Ingredients
3 T butter
3 T flour
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp parsley
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
3 C Milk
1/2 C Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
1/3 C Mozzarella Cheese, grated
1/4 C Fresh Parmesan, grated
1 tsp Salt
Pepper to taste
1 can Italian Diced Tomatoes
1 box Penne Pasta
Italian Bread Crumbs + a little butter
Flat Leaf Parsley (optional)
Sausage (optional)
Directions
In a large pot, cook pasta. Consider adding buillion cubes to the water to season the pasta. While pasta is cooking, make your sauce.
Start by melting your butter in a sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add in garlic and seasonings. Allow to cook garlic for a minute or two, whisking constantly so as not scorch the butter. Add in flour and whisk to create a roux. Allow flour to bubble and cook for about a minute, always whisking. Add in milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil and allow to boil while whisking for 3-4 mins or until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add in salt and pepper. Cool for about 2 minutes then whisk in cheeses.
If pasta is ready, drain and pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Pour undrained can of tomatoes over pasta. Add cheese sauce. Mix to combine. *If adding sausage, you can use precooked sausage that is diced or ground sausage that is cooked and drained. Stir into pasta.
If you have more cheese, you can add another layer of cheese on top of the pasta just before the bread crumbs. Top pasta with Italian bread crumbs and a small dollops of butter.
Cover and bake at 350 deg F. for 20 minutes. Remove foil and turn heat up to broil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Stick around and browse these Healthy Recipes Your Kids Will Love or these Sneaky Recipes to Get Your Minis to Eat Their Veggies.
What is your go-to recipe for an easy dinner or to bring to a new mom?