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 favorite for holiday dinners and cozy nights in with family.
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 dish always brings the family together especially during winter holidays around the dinner table.
Notes
For extra flavor add a handful of baby spinach or arugula when tossing the pasta.
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 & cranberry pasta is a delicious way to impress guests with minimal effort.
Recipe Guide
- → Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, dried cranberries work well. Reduce the honey to 1 tablespoon to balance sweetness, as dried cranberries are sweeter than fresh or frozen ones.
- → How do I make this dish vegan?
Use vegan Brie-style cheese and replace honey with maple syrup to keep plant-based ingredients consistent while maintaining the dish's creamy and sweet profile.
- → What pasta shapes are best for this dish?
Short pasta like penne or fusilli is ideal, as their shapes hold the melted Brie and cranberry mixture well, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
It’s best served immediately to enjoy the melted Brie texture and fresh garnish, but you can bake the Brie and cranberries in advance and combine just before serving.
- → Are there suggested additions to enhance flavor?
Adding baby spinach or arugula when tossing the pasta introduces a fresh, leafy dimension and balances the richness of the cheese and sweetness of cranberries.
- → How should walnuts be prepared?
Toast walnuts in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes until fragrant to deepen their flavor and add a crunchy contrast to the creamy components.