Cheesy Wagon Wheel Pasta Bake
Mini wagon wheel pasta makes a fun, kid-friendly casserole. It's a recipe you'll make again and again.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta wheels, or elbow macaroni or shells
- 1 tbsp kosher salt for the pasta cooking water
- Butter or cooking spray for the baking dish
- 6 tbsp butter, divided use
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp dry mustard
- ½ tsp kosher salt, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs, or soft fine bread crumbs
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and the pasta. Cook the pasta wheels following package directions for al dente. Drain in a colander and set aside.1 tbsp kosher salt for the pasta cooking water | 8 ounces pasta wheels
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350°F and grease a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.Butter or cooking spray for the baking dish
- In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Stir flour into the butter until smooth and bubbly. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the dry mustard, salt, and pepper; blend well. Gradually whisk the milk into the roux and continue cooking until thickened. Add the green onions, if using, along with the cheese; stir until smooth.4 tbsp butter | 4 tbsp all-purpose flour | 1/2 tsp dry mustard | 1/2 tsp kosher salt | 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper | 2 cups milk | 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions (optional) | 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- Combine the drained pasta wheels with the sauce, then transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss with the bread crumbs until thoroughly coated. Sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs over the casserole.2 tbsp butter | 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the pasta mixture is hot and bubbly around the edges and the topping is lightly browned.
Cook the pasta just until al dente — it will continue to cook in the oven and you don't want it to go mushy.
Stir in diced cooked ham, crumbled bacon, or cooked broccoli florets before baking for a heartier meal.
Nutrition
Calories: 753kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 28gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 24gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 955mgPotassium: 406mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1319IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 598mgIron: 2mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
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