Pin A luxurious pasta dish featuring creamy baked Brie, sweet-tart cranberries, and toasted walnuts for a festive twist on comfort food.
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 drip 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.
Pin 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.
Nutritional Information
Calories 548 Total Fat 22 g Carbohydrates 68 g Protein 18 g
Pin Recipe Questions
- → Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, short pasta like penne or fusilli works best as it holds the creamy sauce well, but you can experiment with other shapes for variation.
- → How do I ensure the Brie melts evenly?
Cut the Brie into uniform cubes and bake at 200°C (400°F) until melted and bubbling, about 12–15 minutes for best results.
- → What can I substitute for fresh cranberries?
Dried cranberries can be used if fresh or frozen are unavailable, but reduce the honey to 1 tablespoon to balance sweetness.
- → How do toasted walnuts enhance the dish?
Toasting walnuts brings out their natural oils and adds a fragrant crunch that contrasts the creamy Brie and tender pasta.
- → Is there an option to make this dairy free?
Yes, use vegan Brie-style cheese and replace honey with maple syrup for a dairy-free alternative.