Pin A creamy, festive pasta dish featuring melted Brie cheese, sweet-tart cranberries, and a buttery crumb topping, inspired by the flavors of holiday tartlets.
This dish quickly became a holiday favorite in my family with its unique tartlet-inspired flavors and easy preparation.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) short pasta (such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni) 1 tbsp kosher salt (for pasta water)
- Sauce: 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, minced 200 g (7 oz) Brie cheese, rind trimmed and cubed 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream 60 ml (¼ cup) whole milk 75 g (½ cup) dried cranberries, chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish) ¼ tsp ground black pepper ½ tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- Tartlet-Inspired Topping: 40 g (⅓ cup) panko breadcrumbs 1 tbsp unsalted butter 30 g (¼ cup) chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
- Garnish: 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Additional dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 ml (½ cup) pasta water, then drain pasta.
- Step 2:
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3:
- Add chopped Brie, heavy cream, and milk. Stir gently until the Brie melts and forms a smooth sauce, about 3–4 minutes.
- Step 4:
- Stir in chopped dried cranberries, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Step 5:
- Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Step 6:
- For the topping: In a small pan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs (and walnuts, if using) and toast until golden, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 7:
- Serve pasta in bowls, topped with buttery crumbs, fresh parsley, and extra cranberries if desired. Garnish with extra thyme.
Pin Gathering around this dish always brings a warm festive feeling, reminding me of joyful holiday dinners with family.
Required Tools
Large pot Large skillet Small pan Wooden spoon Chefs knife Cutting board Measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (Brie cheese, butter, cream, milk) Wheat (pasta, panko) Tree nuts (walnuts, optional). Check ingredient labels if concerned about cross-contamination with nuts or gluten.
Nutritional Information
Calories 540 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 55 g Protein 16 g per serving
Pin This tartlet-inspired pasta blends festive flavors and creamy textures for a dish that's simple yet impressive.