Decadent Cavatappi Cheese Bake
Indulge in this rich and creamy cavatappi cheese bake, inspired by Costco's beloved deli macaroni and cheese. This homemade version combines perfectly cooked cavatappi pasta with a luxurious blend of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, pecorino romano, and parmesan. Baked to perfection, the top forms a delightful golden crust while the insides remain irresistibly gooey and cheesy. Ideal for gatherings and comfort food cravings, this dish is bound to become a family favorite any time of the year, ensuring you don't have to wait for the seasonal offering at the store.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
cavatappi pasta
16 ounces (dry)
butter
1 tablespoon (for pasta)
butter
1 cup (for sauce)
heavy cream
3/4 pint (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
garlic salt
to taste (none)
pecorino romano cheese
3/4 cup (grated)
parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
cheddar cheese
4 cups (shredded)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cook the cavatappi pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Immediately add 1 tablespoon of butter and toss until evenly coated. Set aside to cool slightly.
3
In a large saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over low heat. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4
Season the cream with garlic salt and pepper to taste, then gradually whisk in the pecorino romano and parmesan cheeses. Stir continuously over medium heat until the cheeses have fully melted and the sauce has thickened, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
5
Combine the slightly cooled sauce with the cavatappi pasta, mixing until all the pasta is well coated. Fold in 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until thoroughly incorporated.
6
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before serving for a perfect slice.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Cavatappi Cheese Bake?
It is a rich and creamy homemade macaroni and cheese dish inspired by the Costco deli version, featuring cavatappi pasta and a three-cheese blend.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 16 ounces of dry cavatappi pasta.
What are the three types of cheese included?
The recipe calls for sharp cheddar, pecorino romano, and parmesan cheese.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How much cheddar cheese is required in total?
A total of 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese is needed.
How much butter is used for the cheese sauce?
The cheese sauce requires 1 cup of butter melted over low heat.
What size baking dish should be used?
You should use a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
How long does the dish need to bake?
It should bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe uses 3/4 pint of heavy cream.
Should the pasta be cooked fully before baking?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente according to the package directions.
Why is butter added to the pasta after draining?
One tablespoon of butter is tossed with the cooked pasta to coat it and prevent sticking while it cools slightly.
What seasonings are added to the cream sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with garlic salt and pepper to taste.
How much pecorino romano cheese is used?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of grated pecorino romano cheese.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
You will need 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
How long should the sauce be stirred after adding the hard cheeses?
Stir continuously over medium heat for approximately 4-5 minutes until the cheeses are melted and the sauce has thickened.
When do I add the cheddar cheese to the pasta?
Fold in 3 cups of the shredded cheddar after the pasta has been coated with the creamy white cheese sauce.
How much cheddar cheese is used for the topping?
The remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese is spread over the top before baking.
Does the dish need to rest after baking?
Yes, allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before serving to ensure a perfect slice.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While cavatappi is recommended for its texture, you can substitute other shapes like elbows or penne if necessary.
What should the consistency of the inside be?
The inside of the bake should remain irresistibly gooey and cheesy.
Is the baking dish greased?
Yes, the instructions specify using a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
What gives the dish its golden crust?
The top layer of cheddar cheese bakes into a delightful golden crust.
Is the sauce cooked over high heat?
No, the butter is melted over low heat and the sauce is stirred over medium heat.
How much dry pasta is needed?
You will need a 16-ounce package of dry cavatappi pasta.
Is this recipe suitable for gatherings?
Yes, it is described as ideal for gatherings and comfort food cravings.
Does this recipe include garlic?
It uses garlic salt as a seasoning for the cheese sauce.
Can I make this if Costco is out of stock?
Yes, this homemade version ensures you don't have to wait for the seasonal offering at the store.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What is the texture of the pecorino and parmesan?
Both the pecorino romano and parmesan should be grated before being whisked into the sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 primary ingredients listed for this cheese bake.