Copycat Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a delicious meal that tastes amazing and is surprisingly easy to make, which is the best of both worlds! This copycat recipe will walk you through everything you need, and how to make it. This pasta makes for a delicious lunch or dinner recipe when you are looking for something that is quick and easy but still tastes like you spend hours preparing it.
Four Cheese Pasta
Four cheese pasta typically is made with cooked penne pasta topped with red sauce and four different types of cheese. The cheesecake factory uses Penne Pasta, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Romano cheese, and Parmesan Cheese. You can use whatever types of cheese you prefer. However, we are going to let you in on a secret that makes this recipe so good. When you combine ricotta, shredded mozzarella, Italian-style shredded cheese, as well as mozzarella balls, you end up with a deliciously cheesy pasta that can’t be compared to anything else, it is just so good.
RECIPE – DINNER – LUNCH – QUICK – SIMPLE
This copycat recipe for Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is crazy easy to prepare, if you are looking for a simple dinner recipe, this is it. All you have to do is cook your noodles, mix in some cheeses and your red sauce, top with mozzarella balls and more cheese, then bake it in the oven until it is warmed through and the cheese on top starts to turn golden. It is seriously as easy as that. You can also serve with chicken or ground beef if you like, but it is not required, and not needed.
A Cheesecake Factory Four Copycat Recipe
Let’s take a dive into what is needed to make this recipe easily. Start by checking your kitchen utensils to make sure you have all the items gathered that you need, then check the food ingredients.
Serves 4
Materials
Mixing bowl
Pot to boil noodles
Colander
Baking dish
Cooking spray
Spoon or rubber spatula
Ingredients
8 oz penne rigatoni pasta
24 oz red sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 1/4 cup mozzarella shredded cheese
1/8 tsp pepper, to taste
1 large egg
1/4 tsp garlic powder
dash of basil
dash Italian seasoning, to taste
4 mozzarella balls, quartered
3/4 cup Italian style shredded cheese (or parmesan)
Instructions
Once all of your ingredients and kitchen utensils are gathered, it is time to begin. Start with your pasta, since this is your base, you need it to be fully cooked before you can move on. Taste a noodle to be completely sure your pasta is al dente.
Next move on to your cheese mixture, then finally combine your dish and top it with more cheese before baking in your oven. Note, if you are using a glass baking dish, it is wise to allow your oven to preheat while your dish is in it, that way you will avoid cracking your baking dish.
Directions
Step 1: Pasta
In a deep pan, fill 1/2 to 3/4 full with water and bring it to a boil with a drop of olive oil in the water. Once your water has reached a rolling boil, add your pasta and simmer until your pasta is al dente. Drain the liquid from your pasta using a colander or strainer.
Step 2: Cheese Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine your ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, egg, pepper, garlic powder, basil, and Italian seasoning. Stir until it is well combined. Add your pasta noodles and stir to combine.
Step 3: Assemble
Spray your baking dish with cooking spray, then pour your pasta and cheese mixture into your baking dish. Add your red sauce and stir until combined. Top with mozzarella balls that have been cut into quarters, then add shredded Italian-style cheese on top. Sprinkle the top with Italian seasoning and basil.
Step 4: Baking Instructions
Bake at 400°F while covered for 15 minutes. Remove the cover and broil on low for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven when the cheese on top is just started to turn golden. Transfer to a serving dish, top with a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese and basil leaves. Serve while hot and enjoy!
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe
This pasta recipe for a copycat Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a very simple dish that is pretty straightforward. Typically, this recipe can be prepared in under 30 minutes, which makes for a nice, quick meal. My family enjoys pasta in general. We really like this recipe because it has a nice full flavor to it, and is not complicated to make.
The Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Cheesecake Factory – Four Cheese Pasta (Lunch)
Serving Size : 1 serving
920 Cal
46% 106g Carbs
38% 39g Fat
15% 35g Protein
Homemade four cheese pasta
Serving Size: 1 serving
656 Calories
37% 28.9g Fat
20% 55.7g Carbohydrates
39.5g Protein
Calories
In a lunch portion serving from the cheesecake factory, it is estimated that there are 920 calories. However, a full portion is estimated to have 1,280 calories in 1 serving size.
One of the great things about making your own four cheese pasta is that it is better for you. The estimated calories out of one serving for the above recipe that serves four people is that each serving contains 656 calories. This is fewer calories than even the lunch portion of the pasta directly from the Cheesecake Factory.
Weight Watchers Points
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points: 44
Weight Watchers SmartPoints: 44
Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 79
How long would it take to burn off 1280 KCal?
Walking (3mph) | 345 minutes |
Running (6mph) | 123 minutes |
Bicycling (10mph) | 177 minutes |
Nutrition Summary:
In summary, there are many different health benefits to making your own copycat Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta. Not only does this recipe taste amazing, but it also contains fewer calories, fat content, and carbohydrates.
Allergens
If you have allergic reactions to wheat, dairy, or tomatoes, you will want to substitute ingredients accordingly to fit your dietary needs. Please see below for substitute ideas to fit your allergy needs.
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta (Gluten Free)
There are many great options now available for gluten-free pasta. Many major grocery stores should have reasonable cost options available for gluten-free penne pasta, just look for a gluten-free label to be sure. To prepare your pasta, follow the instructions on the pasta container. A good tip is to drop a dollop of olive oil into your pasta water to help them not stick together as much. Prepare the remainder of the dish as instructed in the recipe details.
Dairy Free
If you have allergies to dairy products or simply prefer a vegan diet, there are many different cheese alternatives to replace the above cheeses. Most cheese substitutes are available at your local grocery store, just be sure to read the label before purchasing them. Prepare as instructed above with your cheese substitutes.
Four-Cheese Baked Penne
One fantastic thing about making your own four-cheese baked penne pasta is that it is extremely cost-effective. Pasta is low cost in general, and this recipe does not require meat to be added, only cheese makes it a budget-friendly meal, that is still quite elegant. Simply serve in a high-class manner, and you will make your dinner feel like it is equivalent to a fancy dinner out.
Four Cheese Pasta Cheesecake Factory
This four-cheese pasta recipe is delicious and easy. Because of the four different types of cheeses used, there is a depth of flavor to this dish that makes it taste wonderful. If you are looking for a quick and tasty meal, you have got to give this one a try!
Would you make this Copycat Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta recipe? Write to us and let us know what you think about it!
Cheesecake Factory Copycat Four Cheese Pasta
The classic Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta copycat recipe is super easy to make and is great for a quick lunch or dinner when you want a delicious meal, but don’t want to fuss. You will be surprised at how easy, yet amazing this dish tastes. Be sure to give it a try today, and let us know what you think about this recipe.
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This is a recipe I came up with to replicate the real thing.