Garlic Butter Penne Pasta Bake
Garlic Butter Penne Pasta Bake
Creamy, buttery, garlicky, and baked until perfectly golden — this Garlic Butter Penne Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food.
Made with mini penne pasta, parmesan, simple spices, and a silky garlic-butter cream sauce, this dish is cozy, filling, and absolutely irresistible.
If you’re looking for a simple, comforting pasta dish that tastes like something you’d find at a cozy Italian restaurant, this Garlic Butter Penne Pasta Bake is perfection.
The mini penne holds onto that rich garlic-butter cream sauce in every little tube, making each bite extra creamy and satisfying. It’s the kind of pasta that feels like a hug in a bowl.
What I love about this recipe is how easy it is — just a handful of ingredients, all pantry staples, come together to make something so delicious and indulgent.
The sauce is silky and buttery with tons of garlic flavor, and the Parmesan melts right into it to create a luscious, dreamy texture. Then the pasta gets baked, which makes everything meld together and gives the top just the slightest golden finish.
This dish is perfect as a main course with a salad, or as a crowd-pleasing side dish for any family dinner. Kids love it, adults love it, and leftovers reheat beautifully — making it a great meal prep option too. You can even add chicken, sausage, broccoli, or spinach to turn it into a full one-pan meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound mini penne pasta
- 1 stick salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the mini penne until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Cream Sauce
In a large skillet, melt the stick of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
3. Combine Pasta + Sauce
Add the cooked mini penne directly to the skillet and toss to coat every noodle in the creamy garlic butter sauce.
4. Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the pasta mixture into a buttered 9×13 baking dish and spread evenly.
5. Add the Crispy Panko Topping
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with 4 tablespoons melted butter.
Sprinkle the buttery panko evenly over the top of the pasta to create that perfect crunchy finish.
6. Bake
Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
7. Serve
Let it rest for 5 minutes, sprinkle with parsley, and enjoy warm.
Jennie’s Thoughts
This pasta bake is my go-to when I want something simple but rich and comforting. The mini penne is adorable and holds the sauce so well, and the garlic-butter-Parmesan combo is just chef’s kiss.
It’s definitely one of those recipes that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
