THIS CAFE LIFE
Baked Pasta Bianca with Cream & Five Cheeses (GF)
Penne Bianca is a baked white pasta built on cream, stock, and a blend of soft and aged cheeses. Rich but balanced, the sauce melts into the pasta rather than sitting on top, creating a silky, cohesive dish with browned edges and a bubbling center.
This gluten-free version is designed for reliability and ease — ideal for entertaining, holiday tables, or anytime you want a comforting, oven-finished pasta that holds beautifully.
Prep Time:
30 Minutes
Cook Time:
15 Minutes
Yield:
Serves 4 - 6
Ingredients
2 C. Heavy cream
1 C. Chicken stock
1/2 C. Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1/2 C. Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
1/2 C. Pecorino Romano, grated
4 T. Ricotta
1/2 C. Havarti cheese, grated
1/2 C. Mozzarella, grated
1/2 t. Salt
1 # Gluten free penne
4 Scallions, finely diced
This braiser acts as a wide baking pan, essential for this recipe. Encourages even browning and faster evaporation, giving you crisp edges and a creamy interior.
Essential for properly salted pasta water and enough room for pasta to cook without sticking.
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Step 1 — Preheat & Prepare
Preheat oven to 500°F.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Step 2 — Build the Cheese Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, chicken stock, Gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, ricotta, Havarti, mozzarella, and salt. Stir until evenly mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 3 — Cook the Pasta
Generously salt the boiling water. Add penne and cook until just al dente, about 10 minutes. (Gluten-free pasta requires a slightly longer cook but should still retain structure, as it will continue cooking in the oven.)
Drain pasta well, reserving 1 cup pasta liquid.
Step 4 — Combine & Adjust
Add the hot pasta directly to the cheese mixture and toss thoroughly to coat.
If the mixture feels too thick or tight, add pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the pasta moves freely and is surrounded by liquid.
Step 5 — Bake
Transfer mixture to a wide, shallow baking dish.
Bake uncovered until bubbling and lightly browned on top, 8–12 minutes.
Step 6 — Rest & Serve
Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly while remaining creamy.
Garnish with chopped scallions.
Serving Notes
Serve as a main dish with a crisp green salad or as a side to roasted vegetables or grilled proteins. Excellent for make-ahead entertaining — assemble early, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.
More Gluten-Free Pasta We Love
If gluten-free pasta is part of your regular cooking rhythm, you’ll find more recipes that focus on technique, balance, and real flavor — not substitutions that feel like compromise. Explore a few of our favorites:
Penne Bianca (GF) — a rich, oven-finished white sauce built for depth and melt
Pasta with Clam Sauce (GF) — briny, clean, and deeply New England
Lasagna Bolognese (GF) — layered, slow-cooked, and made for sharing
Each recipe is designed to stand on its own, but together they form a small collection of gluten-free pastas that cook — and eat — like the real thing.
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