Continental Cheese Bake
Submitted by sweetbabie
A bubbly pasta bake loaded with artichoke hearts, chestnut mushrooms, smoked ham, and herbed soft cheese under a golden breadcrumb and cheddar crust. Comfort food with a Continental twist.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
20 minREADY
40 minThis cheesy pasta bake brings together some of the best flavors from across the Channel into one golden, bubbling dish.
Farfalle pasta gets tossed with sauteed chestnut mushrooms, tender artichoke hearts, and diced smoked ham, all bound in a creamy mix of garlic-herb soft cheese and fromage frais.
A beaten egg holds everything together while a scattering of breadcrumbs and grated cheddar on top crisps up into that irresistible crunch we all dig into first.
Ready in about 40 minutes from start to table, it works brilliantly as a weeknight supper or a casual dinner party centrepiece.
Pro Tips
- Use chestnut mushrooms for their firmer texture and deeper, nuttier flavor
- Drain the canned artichoke hearts well so they don’t make the bake watery
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking so it sets and slices more neatly
- Swap the farfalle for penne or rigatoni if you want tubes that trap more of the cheesy filling
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat ove to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.
Heat butter and sauté garlic, pepper and mushrooms, stirring frequently, until softened.
Meanwhile, heat together soft cheese and fromage frais, stirring until combined.
Mix in artichoke hearts, ham egg, cooked pasta and mushroom mixture.
Turn into a heatproof dish, sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and grated cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes until top is golden brown.
Garnish with parsley sprig to serve.
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