Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Noodles

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When you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish or a quick comfort-food meal, Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Noodles deliver rich, savory flavor with a golden, bubbly cheese crust.

Unlike traditional stovetop pasta, baking the noodles in a rich garlic-infusion bath allows the pasta to absorb savory flavors directly as it cooks, finishing with a satisfying oven-baked crust.

Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Noodles Recipe

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 30–35 minutes
  • Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

  • The Pasta:
    • 1 lb (16 oz) egg noodles, penne, or fettuccine (dried)
  • The Garlic-Parmesan Sauce:
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
    • 1.5 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • The Cheese Topping:
    • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (divided: 1.5 cups for the sauce/mixing, 0.5 cup for the topping)
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese (for that extra bubbly, golden finish)
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Make the Garlic Butter Base: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant (be careful not to let it brown or burn, which turns it bitter).
  3. Build the Sauce: Whisk the chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the garlic butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat. Stir in 1.5 cups of the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  4. Combine in the Baking Dish: Place your dry (uncooked) pasta evenly into the prepared baking dish. Pour the warm garlic-Parmesan sauce mixture evenly over the pasta, making sure the liquid covers or submerges the noodles as much as possible.
  5. Initial Bake (Covered): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap the steam so the pasta cooks evenly. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
  6. Add the Cheese Crust: Remove the foil, stir the pasta gently (it should be mostly tender), and top evenly with the remaining 0.5 cup of Parmesan and the 1 cup of mozzarella.
  7. Golden Finish (Uncovered): Return to the oven uncovered for another 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown around the edges.
  8. Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens up slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

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