Save A luxurious pasta dish featuring creamy baked Brie, sweet-tart cranberries, and toasted walnuts for a festive twist on comfort food.
This recipe quickly became a holiday favorite in my home. I love how simple yet elegant it feels when served.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) short pasta (such as penne or fusilli), 1 tbsp olive oil, Salt for pasta water
- Cheese & Cranberry: 200 g (7 oz) Brie cheese rind removed and cut into cubes, 100 g (3.5 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries, 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan option), 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish), 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Nuts & Garnish: 50 g (1/3 cup) walnuts roughly chopped, 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, Zest of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Step 2:
- Cook the pasta in generously salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Step 3:
- While the pasta cooks place the Brie cubes in a small baking dish. Scatter cranberries on top drizzle with honey sprinkle with thyme and black pepper.
- Step 4:
- Bake for 12 15 minutes until the Brie is melted and bubbling and cranberries are soft.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 3 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
- Step 6:
- Place the drained pasta in a large bowl. Pour the baked Brie and cranberry mixture over the pasta add a splash of reserved pasta water and toss gently until coated and creamy.
- Step 7:
- Stir in half the toasted walnuts and parsley.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately garnished with remaining walnuts parsley and orange zest if desired.
Save This recipe brings my family together each holiday season to share warm memories and good food.
Notes
For extra flavor add a handful of baby spinach or arugula when tossing the pasta. Substitute dried cranberries if fresh or frozen are unavailable (reduce honey to 1 tbsp). For a vegan version use vegan Brie-style cheese and maple syrup.
Required Tools
Large pot, Baking dish, Skillet, Mixing bowl, Zester (optional)
Allergen Information
Contains milk (Brie cheese) nuts (walnuts) and gluten (pasta). For gluten-free use certified gluten-free pasta. Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
Save This baked Brie and cranberry pasta makes for a memorable dish that’s both festive and comforting.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli hold the creamy baked Brie sauce well, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
- → Can I substitute fresh cranberries?
Yes, dried cranberries can be used instead; reduce honey slightly to balance the sweetness.
- → How do I get the Brie to melt perfectly?
Bake the Brie cubes at 200°C (400°F) until melted and bubbling, usually about 12–15 minutes.
- → What is the purpose of toasting the walnuts?
Toasting walnuts enhances their flavor and adds a pleasant crunch to contrast the creamy sauce.
- → Is there a way to make this dish vegan?
Use vegan Brie-style cheese and substitute honey with maple syrup to keep the sweet balance.