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Close-up of Favorite Baked Pasta, cheesy and bubbly, topped with golden croutons and fresh herbs.

Favorite Baked Pasta Cheesy And Bubbly

This recipe delivers a comforting, oven-baked pasta dish that is hearty, nostalgic, and crowd-pleasing. It comes together easily, uses simple ingredients, and bakes into golden perfection, making it ideal for weeknights, potlucks, and family gatherings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Standing Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 5 Tbsp. olive oil divided
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 4 medium yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms sliced
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme plus more for garnish
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 lb. farfalle pasta
  • 2 oz. cream cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
For the Topping
  • 5 oz. French bread thinly sliced (about 3 1/2 cups), torn in half
  • 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup gruyere cheese shredded

Equipment

  • Braiser pan or Dutch oven
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the butter in a wide braiser pan or a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is very soft and deeply golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the mushrooms, thyme, and garlic and cook until the mushrooms begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in the wine and cook until it is almost completely evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour in the beef broth, 3 cups of water, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently until al dente, 10 to 11 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs. Stir in the cream cheese and red wine vinegar.
  3. Turn the broiler on high. Brush or drizzle the bread with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Top the pasta with the bread and sprinkle with the mozzarella and gruyere cheese. Broil until the cheese is deeply golden, 2 to 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the pasta.
  4. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving with extra thyme sprinkled on top.

Notes

This baked pasta is a comforting dish perfect for any occasion. You can adjust the vegetables based on your preference. Ensure the cheese is golden brown before removing from the broiler for the best flavor and texture.

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