Penne with Three Cheeses Recipe 🍝
Description: Indulge in the creamy goodness of Penne with Three Cheeses, a delightful dish inspired by the flavors of Terra Cotta Cafe in Tucson. While traditionally served with bacon and shrimp, this recipe offers a vegetarian twist, allowing you to customize the spiciness to your liking.
Total Time: 25 minutes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serving: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, half-and-half, and minced garlic until well combined.
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Cook the Sauce:
- Transfer the cheese mixture into a large pan.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and red pepper flakes to the pan.
- Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
-
Incorporate the Cheeses:
- Once the mixture is warmed through, add the shredded mozzarella cheese and 2-3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese to the pan.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue heating until the mozzarella cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
-
Cook the Penne:
- While preparing the sauce, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
-
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan with the cheese sauce.
- Gently toss the pasta in the sauce until well coated.
- Heat the pasta and sauce mixture gently over low heat, stirring carefully to ensure even distribution.
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Serve:
- Transfer the Penne with Three Cheeses to wide soup bowls for serving.
- Garnish each serving with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of reserved Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy the creamy goodness of this delectable Penne with Three Cheeses, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal any day of the week! 🌟
