Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust

Health score
19%
Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust
45 min.
8
789kcal

Suggestions

Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust

Indulge in a rich and delectable side dish that combines the best of three cheeses with a crunchy almond crust. This Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for serving at your next dinner party or family gathering. With a blend of extra-sharp cheddar, hot pepper Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheese, it offers a symphony of flavors that will delight your taste buds. The addition of whole almonds and breadcrumbs creates a golden, crispy topping that adds texture and crunch, making this dish irresistible.

Ready in just 45 minutes and serving 8, this recipe is not only a time-saver but also a caloric delight at 789 kcal per serving. It's the perfect balance of comfort food indulgence and efficiency, ensuring you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal. Whether you're a cheese aficionado or simply looking to add a sophisticated twist to your pasta dishes, this Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust is sure to become a new favorite.

The process is straightforward yet yields impressive results. Begin with a creamy cheese sauce, then mix it with cooked pasta for a base that's both luxurious and comforting. The topping, a blend of ground almonds, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs, transforms the dish into something extraordinary when baked to golden perfection. It's a recipe that, despite its simplicity, promises to impress with every bite.

So why not elevate your next meal with this deliciously complex yet easy-to-make Three-Cheese Pasta Gratin with Almond Crust? It's the perfect addition to any table, promising satisfaction with every serving.

Ingredients

  • tablespoons flour 
  • tablespoons butter 
  • cups sharp cheddar cheese extra-sharp grated
  • 0.3 cup breadcrumbs dry fine
  •  garlic clove pressed
  • 1.7 cups parmesan cheese packed grated
  • 2.5 cups monterrey jack cheese hot grated
  • teaspoon hot sauce hot
  • pound .5 oz. macaroni tube-shaped (such as cavatapi or macaroni)
  • 0.5 cup almonds whole
  • cups milk whole hot

Equipment

  • sauce pan
  • oven
  • whisk
  • pot
  • baking pan

Directions

  1. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic; sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add flour; stir 3 minutes.
  4. Whisk in hot milk. Bring to simmer, stirring. Cover partially; simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat.
  6. Add cheddar and Jack cheese, 1 1/3 cups Parmesan cheese and hot pepper sauce.
  7. Whisk until sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.
  8. Whisk over medium heat to rewarm before using.)
  9. Preheat oven to 400°F. Generously butter bottom and sides of 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Blend 1/3 cup Parmesan, almonds and breadcrumbs in processor until nuts are coarsely ground.
  10. Add 1/2 cup almond mixture to prepared dish. Tilt dish to coat bottom and sides. Return any loose almond mixture to processor. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender.
  11. Drain well. Return pasta to pot.
  12. Add sauce; stir to coat.
  13. Transfer to prepared dish.
  14. Sprinkle remaining almond mixture over.
  15. Bake until almond mixture is golden and crunchy and sauce bubbles, about 30 minutes. Cool on rack 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories789kcal
Protein19.62%
Fat50.78%
Carbs29.6%

Properties

Glycemic Index
32.13
Glycemic Load
4.18
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
26.297826450804%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
0.22mg
Catechin
0.11mg
Epigallocatechin
0.23mg
Epicatechin
0.05mg
Eriodictyol
0.02mg
Naringenin
0.04mg
Isorhamnetin
0.24mg
Kaempferol
0.04mg
Myricetin
0.01mg
Quercetin
0.04mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:789.44kcal
39.47%
Fat:44.63g
68.66%
Saturated Fat:23.62g
147.62%
Carbohydrates:58.53g
19.51%
Net Carbohydrates:55.37g
20.13%
Sugar:8.33g
9.26%
Cholesterol:117.86mg
39.29%
Sodium:975.24mg
42.4%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:38.79g
77.59%
Calcium:941.77mg
94.18%
Selenium:64.83µg
92.62%
Phosphorus:766.81mg
76.68%
Vitamin B2:0.73mg
42.99%
Manganese:0.81mg
40.58%
Zinc:5.17mg
34.49%
Vitamin B12:1.7µg
28.38%
Magnesium:99.38mg
24.85%
Vitamin A:1206.13IU
24.12%
Vitamin E:3.05mg
20.36%
Copper:0.3mg
15.23%
Vitamin B1:0.22mg
14.45%
Potassium:487.62mg
13.93%
Vitamin D:1.91µg
12.75%
Fiber:3.17g
12.67%
Vitamin B6:0.25mg
12.61%
Vitamin B5:1.1mg
10.98%
Iron:1.79mg
9.93%
Folate:39.6µg
9.9%
Vitamin B3:1.88mg
9.41%
Vitamin K:3.29µg
3.14%
Source:Epicurious