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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the Brie and cranberries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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