Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a delicious and creamy dish that you can enjoy for a special occasion or any day of the week.
This decadent dish is made with four different types of cheese, and is a great way to keep your guests happy and satisfied. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly meal or something to impress your guests, this four cheese pasta is sure to be a hit.
In this article, we’ll go over what cheesecake factory four cheese pasta is, why you’ll love it, the ingredients you’ll need, step-by-step instructions, tips and tricks, nutrition information, storage tips, variations, and more.
What is Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta?
Cheesecake Factory is a popular chain restaurant known for their delicious and indulgent cheesecakes. However, they also offer a variety of savory dishes on their menu, including this four cheese pasta.
The dish features penne pasta tossed in a rich tomato sauce with four different types of cheese – mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and romano. It’s then baked to perfection for a creamy and cheesy pasta that is sure to please any cheese lover.
Why You’ll Love this Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta?
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a delicious and indulgent dish that’s sure to be a hit. This dish is full of flavor, and the combination of four types of cheese creates a rich and creamy sauce that’s perfect for tossing with al dente pasta.
This dish is also easy to make, so it’s great for busy weeknights. Additionally, this dish can be easily customized to suit your tastes.
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The Ingredients
To make this decadent dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Penne pasta: This is the core ingredient for this dish. You can also use any other type of pasta that you prefer.
Crushed tomatoes: This creates the base for the tomato sauce in this dish.
Olive oil: This adds a rich and smooth flavor to the dish.
Garlic: The cloves of garlic add a delicious and aromatic element to the dish.
Ricotta cheese: Ricotta adds a creamy texture to the sauce and balances out the tanginess of the other cheeses.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes in the sauce.
Salt and pepper: These are essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavors in this dish.
Milk: The milk makes the cheese sauce even creamier.
Dried basil and oregano: These herbs add a delicious Italian flavor to the dish.
Eggs: The eggs help to bind the cheeses and create a rich and creamy sauce.
Mozzarella cheese: This adds a stringy and melty texture to the dish.
Parmesan and romano cheese: These two types of cheese add a sharp and tangy flavor to the dish.
Fresh basil: Adding fresh herbs on top of the baked pasta adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Step by Step Instructions
To make this delicious dish, follow these step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the pasta:
Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Make the tomato sauce:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 4: Make the cheese mixture:
In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and beaten eggs.
Step 5: Combine pasta and sauce:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Mix well until all the pasta is coated in the sauce.
Step 6: Layering:
Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with spoonfuls of the cheese mixture, followed by mozzarella, parmesan, and romano cheese.
Step 7: Baking:
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Resting:
Let the pasta rest for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Step 9: Garnish and serve:
Top with fresh basil before serving for a pop of freshness and color.
Tips and Tricks
- For extra flavor, you can add cooked chicken or ground beef to the pasta sauce.
- To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the meat or use a plant-based protein substitute.
- You can also add veggies such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor.
- If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought tomato sauce instead of making it from scratch.
- For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
Nutrition Information
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a rich and creamy dish that’s full of flavor. One serving of this dish contains approximately
How to Store Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta?
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat the pasta, place it in a skillet over low heat and stir until heated through. You can also freeze the pasta in an airtight container for up to three months.
Variations
This dish can easily be customized to suit your tastes. Here are a few variations you can try:
Add vegetables: You can add cooked vegetables to the sauce, such as cooked spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Add protein: You can add cooked bacon, cooked chicken, or cooked sausage to the sauce.
Make it spicy: You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce for some added heat.
Make it cheesy: You can add extra cheese to the sauce for an even cheesier dish.
Make it creamy: You can add extra cream or half-and-half to the sauce to make it even creamier.
Make it veggie-friendly: You can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in the sauce, and you can also use vegan cheese instead of dairy cheese.
Equipment
- large skillet
- bowl
- oven
Ingredients
- 24 ounces penne pasta
- 8 cups crushed tomatoes
- 8 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 0.67 + 0.5 cup ricotta divided
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 3 teaspoons basil dried
- 2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup mozzarella shredded
- 0.75 cup parmesan grated
- 0.25 cup romano grated
- 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- In a bowl, mix together 2/3 cup of ricotta cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and beaten eggs.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce and mix well.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Top with spoonfuls of the ricotta cheese mixture, followed by mozzarella, parmesan, and romano cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta on top and sprinkle with more cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pasta rest for a few minutes before serving, then top with fresh basil.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add cooked chicken or ground beef to the pasta sauce.
- To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the meat or use a plant-based protein substitute.
- You can also add veggies such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor.
- If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought tomato sauce instead of making it from scratch.
- For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this dish be made ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze this dish in an airtight container for up to three months.
Can I add other ingredients to this dish?
Yes, you can add other ingredients to the sauce, such as cooked bacon, cooked vegetables, or even cooked chicken.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this dish can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
Is this dish vegan?
Yes, this dish can be made vegan by using vegan cheese, and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Conclusion
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a delicious and indulgent dish that’s sure to be a hit. This dish is full of flavor, and the combination of four types of cheese creates a rich and creamy sauce that’s perfect for tossing with al dente pasta.
This dish is also easy to make, so it’s great for busy weeknights. Additionally, this dish can be easily customized to suit your tastes.
With the help of this article, you now have all the information you need to make this delicious dish. So, what are you waiting for
Get cooking!