Indulge in Our Scrumptious Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible cellentani bake that melts hearts and satisfies hunger.

Loaded with rich, gooey cheese and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish promises a culinary adventure for hungry souls.

Cheese lovers will swoon over the decadent layers of flavor packed into every single bite.

The creamy texture and golden-brown top create an instant classic that screams home-cooked goodness.

Tender pasta nestles beneath a blanket of bubbling, golden cheese that promises pure indulgence.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with delightful complexity.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this delectable meal that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Presentation Help for Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake

• Serve with Zesty Side Salad: Complement the rich, creamy pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the dish's indulgent flavors.
• Pair with Garlic Bread: Toast crusty garlic bread alongside the cheesy cellentani to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to your meal.
• Create a Protein Boost: Top the bake with crispy bacon bits, grilled chicken strips, or diced ham to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that'll keep everyone satisfied.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley, chives, or green onions over the top just before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor to this comforting cheesy bake.

How to Store Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake Easily

• Maximize Meal Prep: Store leftover pasta in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Right: Keep the cheesy cellentani bake sealed in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring optimal taste and texture when reheated.
• Freeze for Future: Wrap the dish tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil to store for up to 2 months, perfect for quick meal solutions.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave with a splash of milk to restore creaminess, or bake in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through and bubbling.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 9

Get Started with Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake

• Cellentani Pasta: Spiral-shaped noodles perfect for trapping creamy sauces and holding cheese, choose a high-quality brand for best texture.
• Salt: Enhances pasta flavor during boiling, use kosher or sea salt for more depth.

• Velveeta Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack: Creamy melting cheeses that create rich, velvety texture, select fresh blocks for optimal smoothness.
• Evaporated Milk: Provides silky consistency and helps cheese melt evenly without separating.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps create a luxurious sauce, look for full-fat version.
• Butter: Introduces extra creaminess and helps bind ingredients, use unsalted for better flavor control.

• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Aromatic spices that elevate the overall flavor profile, choose fresh, high-quality ground spices for maximum taste.

Equipment Picks for Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake

• Large saucepan: Perfect for boiling noodles and creating the creamy sauce.
• Small saucepan: Ideal for melting Velveeta with evaporated milk.
• 9×13 inch baking dish: Essential for assembling and baking the pasta.
• Cheese grater: Necessary for shredding sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack.
• Colander: Used to drain cooked pasta.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient portions.

Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake Cooking Directions

• Oven Warmup

Activate the oven to create a cozy baking environment at a gentle 350 degrees, preparing a welcoming space for your cheesy creation.

• Pasta Foundation

Boil water in a large pot and transform those noodles into tender, soft strands that will become the heart of your dish.

• Cheese Preparation

Lovingly shred and cube different cheese varieties, setting the stage for a mouthwatering flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance.

• Creamy Cheese Sauce

Gently heat milk in a pan, melting cheese until it transforms into a silky, luxurious sauce that promises pure comfort in every spoonful.

• Flavor Fusion

Combine the soft noodles with a magical blend of seasonings and creamy elements, stirring until each strand is beautifully coated with rich, tantalizing flavors.

• Baking Finale

Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top and slide into the warm oven, allowing the dish to bubble and transform into a golden, irresistible masterpiece that screams home-cooked love.

Add-On Ideas for Creamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake

• Sprinkle breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or toasted panko on top before baking for an extra crispy, textured layer that adds delightful crunch to the creamy pasta.
• Enhance the dish by mixing in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, diced ham, or crumbled Italian sausage to transform this side dish into a hearty main course that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Fold in roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or caramelized onions to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors and extra layers of flavor to the cheesy bake.
• Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Dreamy Cheesy Cellentani Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Savory cellentani bake combines hearty pasta with rich cheese and herbs for a comforting meal. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to enjoy each creamy, satisfying bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz (454 g) cellentani or macaroni noodles
• 8 oz (227 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 oz (113 g) monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 8 oz (227 g) velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 stick (113 g) salted butter, softened and cubed
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• 12 oz (340 ml) evaporated milk
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika

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Instructions

1. Preheating: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating the perfect culinary environment for this cheesy masterpiece.
2. Pasta Preparation: Submerge cellentani in vigorously boiling water, orchestrating a perfect al dente texture through 8-10 minutes of careful cooking. Simultaneously, transform cheeses into their most cooperative forms – grating sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, while cubing Velveeta for seamless melting.
3. Sauce Creation: Gently warm evaporated milk in a saucepan, introducing Velveeta cubes and whisking until a luxurious, velvety sauce emerges. Drain pasta thoroughly, transferring to a generously greased 9×13 inch baking vessel.
4. Flavor Fusion: Massage sour cream, butter, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika into the pasta, ensuring each noodle becomes a flavor-packed canvas. Incorporate half the shredded cheese varieties, then cascade the molten Velveeta sauce across the mixture.
5. Final Transformation: Crown the dish with remaining cheese, creating a golden, tempting surface. Slide into the preheated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative baking until the top achieves a seductive golden-brown finish and edges bubble with anticipation.

Notes

• Cheese Selection Matters: Use freshly grated cheese blocks instead of pre-shredded varieties for smoother melting and richer flavor profile.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook cellentani just until al dente to prevent mushy consistency and maintain ideal pasta structure during baking.
• Even Sauce Distribution: Stir ingredients thoroughly to ensure uniform flavor and prevent cheese clumping in certain areas of the dish.
• Temperature Control: Allow dish to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help sauce set and make serving easier without losing creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg