Baked Brie Cranberry Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Baked Brie Cranberry Pasta is a delightful blend of creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and toasted walnuts tossed with al dente pasta. It’s an easy yet elegant dish perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining guests during the holidays.

Ingredients

• 12 oz short pasta (penne or fusilli)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt for pasta water
• 7 oz Brie cheese, rind removed, cut into cubes
• 3.5 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan alternative)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Boil pasta in generously salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, and set pasta aside.
3. Step 3: Place Brie cubes in a small baking dish, scatter cranberries on top, drizzle with honey, then sprinkle with thyme leaves and black pepper.
4. Step 4: Bake Brie mixture for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and cranberries have softened.
5. Step 5: While Brie bakes, toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant; remove from heat and set aside.
6. Step 6: Transfer drained pasta to a large bowl, pour the baked Brie and cranberry mixture over it, add a splash of reserved pasta water, and toss gently until evenly coated and creamy.
7. Step 7: Fold in half of the toasted walnuts and chopped parsley into the pasta mixture.
8. Step 8: Plate immediately, garnishing with remaining walnuts, parsley, and optional orange zest.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegan alternative, substitute Brie with a plant-based cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey.
• To add extra flavor, drizzle a little olive oil over the finished dish before serving.
• If you prefer a cheesy crust, broil the Brie mixture for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to restore creaminess. This dish is best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta?

Yes, short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work best as they hold the creamy sauce well. Avoid very thin pasta as it may get overwhelmed by the toppings.

Can I prepare the Brie and cranberry mixture ahead of time?

You can assemble the Brie and cranberry mixture ahead and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. However, bake it just before serving to ensure the cheese melts perfectly and the cranberries soften.

Baked Brie Cranberry Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 52 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Baked Brie Cranberry Pasta is a comforting and elegant dish combining al dente pasta with melty Brie cheese and tart cranberries. Baked Brie infused with thyme and honey adds a creamy, flavorful sauce that melds perfectly with toasted walnuts and fresh parsley, making it ideal for cozy dinners or festive occasions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz short pasta (penne or fusilli)
• Salt for pasta water

Cheese and Fruit

• 7 oz Brie cheese, rind removed, cut into cubes
• 3.5 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

Flavorings and Garnish

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan alternative)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the Brie and cranberries.
2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and set aside.
3. Prepare Brie Mixture: Place the Brie cheese cubes in a small baking dish. Scatter the cranberries evenly on top, drizzle with honey, then sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and freshly ground black pepper over the mixture.
4. Bake Brie and Cranberries: Bake the Brie mixture in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the cranberries have softened and released their juices.
5. Toast Walnuts: While the Brie mixture bakes, heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast the walnuts for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
6. Combine Pasta and Brie Mixture: Transfer the drained pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pour the baked Brie and cranberry mixture over the pasta. Add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water and gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
7. Add Walnuts and Parsley: Fold in half of the toasted walnuts and chopped parsley into the pasta mixture, ensuring even distribution of flavors and textures.
8. Serve with Garnish: Plate the pasta immediately. Garnish with the remaining toasted walnuts, parsley, and, if desired, the zest of one orange for a bright, citrusy finish.

Notes

• You can substitute maple syrup for honey to make this dish vegan friendly.
• Using fresh thyme leaves enhances the aroma, but dried thyme can be used in a pinch.
• Orange zest is optional but adds a lovely citrus dimension to balance the richness of the Brie.
• Reserve some pasta water as it helps loosen and create a creamy sauce when mixing with the baked Brie.
• Be sure to toast the walnuts carefully to avoid burning and to bring out their nutty flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Baked Brie Pasta, Cranberry Pasta, Fall Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food, Vegetarian Pasta