Easy Creamy Baked Pasta Gratin

On Feb 16, 2025 21 0

Get ready to bake the most comforting and delicious dish! This recipe is inspired by classic baked pasta recipes and perfected based on the visual representation, tailored for beginner halal cooks. This Creamy Baked Pasta Gratin is simple to prepare and guaranteed to be a family favorite. Imagine tender tubular pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce, topped with a golden, bubbly, almost gratin-like layer of cheese. It is easier than one might think to make this delightful meal at home. As clearly seen in the image, this is not just a simple macaroni and cheese; it has a more refined, layered appearance reminiscent of a pasta gratin.

Halal Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are the simple halal ingredients needed to put together this comforting baked pasta gratin. Refer to the image to see how these ingredients come together in the final dish.

🥣 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
🌾 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
🥛 2.5 cups milk (full fat or low fat, as preferred)
🧀 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg (optional, for flavor depth)
🧂 Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
🍝 1 pound penne pasta (or ziti, rigatoni, or other similar tubular pasta as seen in the image)
🧀 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or halal cheese blend), for topping

Note: All ingredients are assumed to be halal certified or permissible for halal consumption. Always check the labels to ensure halal compliance based on individual dietary needs and certifications.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

Having the right tools makes the process of making this baked pasta gratin smooth and enjoyable.

Large pot: For boiling the pasta.
Saucepan: For preparing the béchamel sauce.
Whisk: To smoothly mix the sauce.
Measuring spoons and cups: For accurate ingredient measurements.
Cheese grater: If using block cheese.
9×13 inch baking dish
Oven: For baking the pasta gratin.

Let’s Prepare the Creamy Béchamel Sauce

The heart of this baked pasta gratin is the creamy béchamel sauce. Don’t be intimidated; it’s a simple sauce to put together.

Step 1: Melt the Butter

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter is considered melted when it turns into a liquid. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t burn. Burning butter will have a brownish color and smell unpleasant.

Step 2: Add Flour and Cook Briefly

Once the butter is melted, add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the saucepan. Using a whisk, immediately stir the flour into the melted butter. This mixture is called a roux, and it helps thicken the sauce. Cook this mixture for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This step is important to cook out the raw flour taste. The mixture should become fragrant and slightly pale in color.

Step 3: Gradually Add Milk

Pour in 2.5 cups of milk gradually, about half a cup at a time, while whisking continuously. Whisking is important to prevent lumps from forming in the sauce. Make sure each addition of milk is fully incorporated before adding more. Continue whisking until all the milk is added and the sauce is smooth.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmering means small bubbles will gently rise to the surface. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. The sauce should become noticeably thicker than milk.

Step 5: Season the Béchamel

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of grated nutmeg (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Start with about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and then adjust to personal preference. Taste the sauce and add more seasoning if needed. This creamy béchamel sauce is now ready to be combined with the pasta.

Cook the Pasta

While the béchamel sauce is being prepared, the pasta needs to be cooked.

Step 6: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. A rolling boil means the water is boiling vigorously with large bubbles. Add a generous pinch of salt to the boiling water. This seasons the pasta as it cooks. Add 1 pound of penne pasta to the boiling water.

Step 7: Cook Until Almost Done

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but slightly less – about 1-2 minutes less than the “al dente” time suggested on the package. Pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so it’s best to slightly undercook it at this stage to prevent it from becoming mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

Step 8: Drain the Pasta

Once the pasta is cooked to the desired tenderness, drain it in a colander. A colander is a bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes, used for draining food. Let all the excess water drain away.

Assemble and Bake the Pasta Gratin

Now it’s time to put everything together and bake this comforting dish. Observe in the image the layered, gratin-like presentation.

Step 9: Combine Pasta and Béchamel

In a large bowl, or directly in the pot used to cook the pasta (after draining and returning it to the pot), gently mix the cooked pasta with the prepared béchamel sauce. Make sure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Refer to the image to see the rich, creamy coating of the pasta.

Step 10: Transfer to Baking Dish

Pour the pasta and béchamel mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly in the dish to prepare for baking.

Step 11: Top with Cheese

Sprinkle 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (or halal cheese blend) evenly over the top of the pasta and cheese mixture. The cheese will melt and become a rich, golden brown, bubbly layer in the oven, creating a gratin-like topping, as shown in the image.

Step 12: Bake in Preheated Oven

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pasta gratin in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and deeply golden brown on top, resembling the beautiful gratin finish visible in the image.

Step 13: Rest Before Serving

Once baked, remove the pasta gratin from the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and cool down a bit. Resting also makes it easier to slice and serve, as seen in the image where a slice is neatly presented, showcasing its layered structure.

Serving Suggestions and Enjoyment

This Creamy Baked Pasta Gratin is delicious on its own as a main course or as a comforting side dish. It pairs well with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. The presentation, as seen in the image, makes it elegant enough for special occasions yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

Making homemade halal meals can be a truly rewarding experience. The aroma filling the kitchen, the simple act of combining ingredients, and finally, the delicious taste of the finished dish – all contribute to the joy of cooking. This baked pasta gratin is a testament to how simple ingredients can be transformed into something wonderfully satisfying and visually appealing, just like the dish in the image.

Enjoy putting together this recipe and sharing it with family and friends. Making food to share is a wonderful way to show care and hospitality. Try this recipe and experience the delight of homemade Creamy Baked Pasta Gratin. Share pictures of your own baked pasta gratin creations!