Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a cheesy baked pasta made with penne, marinara, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan. This easy copycat version recreates the restaurant favorite at home with a creamy cheese filling, plenty of melty mozzarella and fresh basil.
If Four Cheese Pasta is your Cheesecake Factory order, this recipe gives you the same cheesy, tomato-forward flavors without the restaurant price tag.
Recipe Inspiration
This pasta dish is one of the most popular dishes in the United States restaurant chain, The Cheesecake Factory. I grew up ordering this dish and wanted to recreate a super easy version of the dish at home.
With four different types of cheese, marinara, and fresh basil, this homemade version is just as good (and less expensive) as the restaurant version!
As a cookbook author and recipe developer, this is one of my favorite pasta recipes for entertaining. It's super kid friendly and great for any crowd! And it's SO easy to make.
For more pasta recipes, check out our Spaghetti alla Nerano, Creamy Kale Gnocchi, Copycat Carbone Rigatoni, Easy Tomato Penne, and Chicken Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo recipes.
Jump to:
- Recipe Inspiration
- What Is Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta?
- Why Make Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta at Home?
- 🧀 What Cheeses Are in Four Cheese Pasta?
- Ingredients
- Directions
- How to Keep Four Cheese Pasta Creamy
- Tina's Tips and Tricks
- Kitchen Equipment
- Recipe Substitutions/Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What to Serve With
- Recipe Storage and Reheating
- Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta
What Is Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta?
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta is a baked penne dish made with marinara and a creamy blend of cheeses. It's finished with melted cheese and fresh basil and can also be ordered with chicken.
This copycat version recreates those same cheesy, tomato-forward flavors in an easy baked pasta you can make at home.
Why Make Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta at Home?
- More affordable: One pan makes enough for several servings.
- Easy to customize: Add chicken, sausage, vegetables or extra cheese.
- Great for entertaining: You can assemble it ahead and bake it when you're ready to serve.
- Simple ingredients: Everything is easy to find at a standard grocery store.
🧀 What Cheeses Are in Four Cheese Pasta?
The magic of four cheese pasta is in the blend. While Cheesecake Factory doesn't publicly list their exact ratio, this copycat version uses a balanced combination of:
Each cheese plays a different role. Parmesan brings saltiness and complexity, while mozzarella adds that smooth melt. The final result is a velvety, rich sauce that coats every bite of pasta.
If you love creamy pasta recipes, this cheese blend is what gives it that signature restaurant-style finish.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this Four-Cheese Pasta recipe:
- Penne Pasta - Or any shorter pasta
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
- Egg
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Marinara Sauce - Any red pasta sauce you have on hand will be good
- Mozzarella Ball - You can also use mozzarella pears or mozzarella ovoline balls
- Parmesan Cheese - Grated
- Fresh Basil Leaves - for serving
Directions
Let's make this Copycat Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta recipe together!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350F. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, combine shredded mozzarella, ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
Step 3
Add cooked pasta and tomato sauce to the cheese mixture bowl. Mix well.
Step 4
Transfer pasta to a large greased baking dish. Top with mozzarella pearls and parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Step 5
Remove aluminum foil and bake for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden brown. Top with additional dollops of ricotta cheese and basil and serve.
How to Keep Four Cheese Pasta Creamy
- Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it just to al dente because it continues cooking in the oven.
- Use whole-milk ricotta. It gives the filling a richer, creamier texture than part-skim ricotta.
- Don't overbake. Once the cheese is melted and the pasta is heated through, take it out of the oven.
- Cover during most of the baking time. Foil keeps the pasta from drying out while the cheese melts.
Tina's Tips and Tricks
- Cook the pasta just to al dente. It will soften more as it bakes.
- Use whole-milk cheese when possible. Whole-milk ricotta and mozzarella give you the creamiest result.
- Drain fresh mozzarella well. Too much moisture can make the pasta watery.
- Don't skip covering the dish. Foil prevents the cheese and pasta from drying out during the first part of baking.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes. This gives the cheese mixture time to set slightly before serving.
- Taste your marinara first. Because the sauce is such a major flavor component, use one you genuinely like.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Pasta Bowl - I love serving pasta in good quality pasta bowls. They're perfect for a variety of dishes, so they're super versatile!
- Mixing Bowl - I love these mixing bowls and use them daily in my kitchen. They are great for tossing salads, mixing ingredients, and even serving!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.
- Add chicken: Cheesecake Factory offers this pasta with chicken, so sliced grilled or sautéed chicken is a natural addition.
- Add shrimp: Sautéed shrimp also works well if you want to add protein.
- Make it spicy: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the marinara.
- Add vegetables: Fold in baby spinach or sautéed mushrooms.
- Cheese variations: Fontina, Romano or provolone can be added for extra flavor, but I'd keep ricotta and mozzarella as the base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Fontina, provolone, or Asiago are great substitutes. Just keep a balance between sharp cheeses (for flavor) and meltier cheeses (for texture).
Yes! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even Italian sausage pair beautifully with the creamy four cheese sauce.
Mozzarella is a great melty cheese choice if you're looking to have a melted cheese over pasta. This is a great choice for topping pasta bakes and letting the cheese melt and become golden brown in the oven.
What to Serve With
Here are some main course ideas on what to serve this recipe with!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions or the entire baked dish for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. Add a spoonful of marinara before reheating if the pasta looks dry.
Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese plus more for topping
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, combine shredded mozzarella, ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Add cooked pasta and marinara sauce to the bowl. Mix well.
- Transfer pasta to a large greased baking dish. Top with mozzarella pearls and parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Top with additional dollops of ricotta cheese and basil and serve.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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