Baked Brie Cranberry Pasta

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.

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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

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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.