3 Cheese Penne Pasta Recipes

BAKED PENNE WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare the penne rigate according to the package directions, minus 1 or 2 minutes of cooking time (see Cook's Note). Drain, then pour the pasta into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking pan.
• In a 4-quart saucepan, melt the butter on medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour until it's dissolved. Add the cream to the saucepan. Add the nutmeg, seasoned salt, and black pepper and whisk the mixture until it's warmed through.
• Reduce the heat to low, and add the mozzarella, Cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until you have a smooth cheese sauce.
• Pour the sauce over the pasta and top with the breadcrumbs.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top turns a golden brown.

PENNE WITH FIVE CHEESES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil in a stockpot.
• Combine all the ingredients except the penne and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
• Drop the penne into the boiling water and parboil for 4 minutes. Drain well in a colander and add to the ingredients in the mixing bowl, tossing to combine.
• Divide the pasta mixture among 6 shallow ceramic gratin dishes (1 1/2 to 2-cup capacity). Dot with the butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, 7 to 10 minutes.

THREE-CHEESE CHICKEN PENNE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. Stir in tomatoes and pasta sauce; bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until completely melted.
• Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella; spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

THREE CHEESE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain.
• Meanwhile, cook ground meat and onion in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until meat is browned. Stir in pasta sauce, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer the ingredients in the prepared baking dish as follows: half of the cooked pasta, all the provolone cheese, all the sour cream, half of the sauce mixture, remaining pasta, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

APPLEBEE'S STYLE 3 CHEESE CHICKEN PENNE

Steps:

• Chop Chicken and marinade in Italian dressing for 30 minute.
• Chop tomatoes, add oil chopped Garlic and basil to make bruschetta. Set aside.
• Cook Penne in boiling water.
• Grill or broil Chicken.
• Divide pasta between two microwavable bowls.
• Pour Alfredo sauce.over the pasta in each bowl.
• Layer on Bruschetta.
• Add a layer of Chicken.
• Add a layer of shredded cheese.
• Microwave for 3 min, or longer if previously chilled till cheese is melted.
• Serve with Garlic bread.
• Can be prepared well ahead of time in individual bowls, then Microwaved thoroughly.
• NB. I have edited this recipe from the original post. Thanks to JFitz who kindly pointed out I had omitted to include the Garlic in the Bruschetta. JFitz also added the that she cooked the meal in a casserole dish, in the oven. I have done this successfully also, but I have failed at it by using low quality shredded Italian 3 cheese mix. Always use fresh.

THREE-CHEESE CHICKEN PENNE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. Stir in tomatoes and spaghetti sauce; bring to boil. Simmer on low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Stir in Neufchatel.
• Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella; pour into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.