Best 2 Three Cheese Penne Pasta Recipes

Three cheese penne pasta is a delectable dish that combines the rich flavors of three different cheeses with the hearty texture of penne pasta. This classic Italian dish is a favorite among pasta lovers and can be easily prepared at home with just a few simple ingredients. The creamy and flavorful sauce, made with a combination of Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese, coats the penne pasta perfectly, creating a dish that is both satisfying and indulgent. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special dish to serve at a dinner party, three cheese penne pasta is sure to be a hit.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

THREE-CHEESE CHICKEN PENNE PASTA BAKE

Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake image

Chunks of chicken in a creamy tomato sauce with basil and fresh spinach are baked with multi-grain penne pasta and topped with cheese.

Provided by Philadelphia

Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese

Time 43m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 ½ cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
1 (9 ounce) bag fresh spinach leaves
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 (14 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
2 ounces PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel cheese, cubed
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
2 tablespoons KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.7 calories, Carbohydrate 39 g, Cholesterol 89.2 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 6.9 g, Protein 43.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.1 g, Sodium 1004 mg, Sugar 11.9 g

KRAFT'S THREE-CHEESE CHICKEN PENNE PASTA BAKE

Kraft's Three-Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake image

I got this recipe from Kraft's Family and Food Cookbook. Nutritional Information:(2 cups each) Calories:460, Fat:14g, Sat Fat:6g, Chol:90mg, Sodium:910mg, Carbs:40g, Fiber:7g, Sugar:8g, Protein:45g, Vit A:140%, Vit C:40%, Calcium:60%, Iron:30%

Provided by Krystal McDow

Categories Casseroles

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 1/2 c multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
9 oz fresh spinach leaves
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp dried basil leaves
14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
14 oz jar spaghetti sauce
2 oz philadelphia neufchatel cheese, cubed
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

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

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the pasta will taste. Use fresh vegetables, high-quality cheese, and a flavorful pasta sauce.
Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will help the pasta hold its shape and prevent it from becoming mushy.
Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the pasta, make sure to use a large enough pot so that the pasta has plenty of room to move around. Overcrowding the pan will prevent the pasta from cooking evenly.
Season the pasta water: Add a generous amount of salt to the pasta water. This will help to flavor the pasta and prevent it from tasting bland.
Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is what really makes the pasta dish. Choose a sauce that is flavorful and that you enjoy. There are many different types of pasta sauces to choose from, so you can find one that suits your taste.
Add some vegetables: Vegetables add flavor, color, and nutrients to pasta dishes. Try adding some chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, zucchini, or bell peppers, to your pasta.
Garnish the pasta: Before serving, garnish the pasta with some fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley. This will add a pop of color and flavor to the dish.

Conclusion:

Three-cheese penne pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its creamy sauce, tender pasta, and flavorful cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this three-cheese penne pasta recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!