Four Cheese Baked Pasta

Featured in: Fun Weeknight Dinners

This comforting dish features penne or rigatoni pasta combined with a creamy mix of feta, mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan cheeses. Cherry tomatoes and garlic are baked to a golden finish alongside the cheeses, infusing vibrant flavors. Tossed together with fresh basil and a touch of reserved pasta water, the result is a rich, melty, and flavorful meal perfect for an easy Italian-American main.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:12:00 GMT
Four-Cheese Baked Block Pasta with melted mozzarella and bursting tomatoes, ready to serve. Save to Pinterest
Four-Cheese Baked Block Pasta with melted mozzarella and bursting tomatoes, ready to serve. | chomzo.com

A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring a creamy, melty blend of four cheeses, baked together to perfection for an irresistibly cheesy meal.

I first served this dish to my family on a chilly evening and it quickly became our comfort food favorite.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 400 g (14 oz) penne or rigatoni
  • Cheeses: 200 g (7 oz) feta cheese block, 100 g (3.5 oz) mozzarella cheese shredded, 100 g (3.5 oz) fontina cheese shredded, 50 g (1.75 oz) parmesan cheese grated
  • Vegetables & Aromatics: 300 g (10.5 oz) cherry tomatoes halved, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional), Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves chopped (plus extra for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F)
Prepare Tomatoes:
Place the cherry tomatoes in a large baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine
Add Cheeses:
Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish nestling it among the tomatoes. Scatter the shredded mozzarella and fontina evenly around the feta
Bake:
Bake for 30 minutes until the tomatoes are bursting and the cheeses are melted and golden
Cook Pasta:
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water then drain
Combine:
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the cooked pasta reserved pasta water parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Gently stir until everything is creamy and well combined
Season:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed
Serve:
Garnish with extra basil and serve immediately
Cheesy Four-Cheese Baked Block Pasta bubbling hot, with parmesan sprinkled on top. Save to Pinterest
Cheesy Four-Cheese Baked Block Pasta bubbling hot, with parmesan sprinkled on top. | chomzo.com

This recipe always brings our family together around the table with smiles and happy appetites.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with a crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio for a refreshing complement.

Required Tools

Large baking dish Medium pot Colander Wooden spoon

Allergen Information

Contains milk/dairy (feta mozzarella fontina parmesan) wheat/gluten (pasta) Check cheese labels for vegetarian status if needed

A close-up of delicious Four-Cheese Baked Block Pasta, creamy and perfectly baked for dinner. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of delicious Four-Cheese Baked Block Pasta, creamy and perfectly baked for dinner. | chomzo.com

This baked block pasta offers the perfect balance of melty cheeses and fresh flavors for a satisfying meal every time

Common Questions

→ Can I use different pasta types for this dish?

Yes, penne or rigatoni work best for holding the sauce, but rigatoni, ziti, or other tubular pastas can also be used effectively.

→ What cheeses create the melty texture?

A blend of feta, mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan provides a creamy and flavorful melt when baked together.

→ How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

Roasted vegetables or sautéed spinach can be stirred in after baking for extra nutrition and texture.

→ Is fresh basil essential?

Fresh basil brings a bright herbal note that balances the richness, but dried herbs can work if fresh isn't available.

→ What wine pairs well with this meal?

A crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio, complements the creamy and tangy cheese blend beautifully.

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Four Cheese Baked Pasta

Comforting baked pasta with a creamy blend of feta, mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan cheeses.

Prep Duration
15 minutes
Cook Duration
35 minutes
Time Needed
50 minutes
Author Maya Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Italian-American

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Info Meat-free

Required Ingredients

Pasta

01 14 oz penne or rigatoni

Cheeses

01 7 oz feta cheese block
02 3.5 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
03 3.5 oz shredded fontina cheese
04 1.75 oz grated parmesan cheese

Vegetables & Aromatics

01 10.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
02 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
04 1 tsp dried oregano
05 ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
06 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
07 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

Preparation Steps

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature to 400°F and allow to heat fully.

Step 02

Prepare Tomato Mixture: In a large baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper; toss well.

Step 03

Arrange Cheeses: Nestle the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes; scatter shredded mozzarella and fontina evenly around it.

Step 04

Bake Cheese and Tomatoes: Bake for 30 minutes until tomatoes blister and cheeses melt to a golden finish.

Step 05

Cook Pasta: Simultaneously, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 06

Combine Pasta and Cheese: Remove baking dish from oven; stir in cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, grated parmesan, and chopped basil until creamy and homogenous.

Step 07

Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with additional basil leaves; serve immediately.

Tools Needed

  • Large baking dish
  • Medium pot
  • Colander
  • Wooden spoon

Allergy Details

Look at the ingredient list to spot allergens. If you have questions, ask a healthcare provider.
  • Contains milk/dairy and wheat/gluten.

Nutrition Details (each portion)

These facts are just for your reference and not substitute for medical guidance.
  • Energy: 650
  • Fats: 32 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Proteins: 29 g

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