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.

This dish quickly became a holiday favorite in my family as it combines richness with a bright burst of flavor from the cranberries.

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.

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Sharing this dish with family always brings warmth and joy to the table during the holidays.

Notes

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.

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This baked Brie and cranberry pasta delivers a perfect balance of creamy comfort and festive brightness in every bite.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What type of pasta works best for this dish?

Short pasta like penne or fusilli is ideal as it holds the creamy Brie mixture well and allows good distribution of cranberries and walnuts.

→ Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, dried cranberries can be substituted; reduce the honey slightly to balance sweetness and moisture.

→ How can I make this dish vegan friendly?

Use a vegan Brie-style cheese and replace honey with maple syrup for a plant-based version retaining similar flavors.

→ What is the purpose of toasting the walnuts?

Toasting the walnuts enhances their aroma and adds a crunchy texture that complements the creamy components.

→ Is there a way to add more greens to this pasta?

Adding baby spinach or arugula when tossing the pasta introduces fresh, leafy notes that brighten the dish.