How to Make Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe

It’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, or even a cozy weekend dinner with family. If you aren't feeling a tomato sauce-based recipe right now, try this white wine mushroom pasta instead!

Our Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Copycat checks all the boxes: creamy, cheesy, and satisfying every single time. From the egg-and-cheese mixture to the balance of four cheeses, you’ll see why this pasta is a fan favorite.

Since you are here and love an easy pasta recipe, check out this Costco Mac and Cheese Recipe, this vodka pasta, when you're done or any of these other great Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipes!

Ingredients for this homemade Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make a copycat recipe of the restaurant version. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.

• Penne Pasta: is what Cheesecake Factory uses, so we will as well for this recipe.
• Marinara Sauce: is the base of the pasta dish. You can use freshly homemade, jarred, or canned.
• Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Grated Romano Cheese
• Egg: is one of the secret ingredients for why this delicious four-cheese pasta has such a great texture.
• Chopped Fresh Basil Leaves
• Olive Oil
• Shallot
• Garlic
• Salt and Black Pepper​

How to Make this Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe

Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions.

1. Boil the penne pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Make sure to reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Romano cheese with the egg and basil and set aside.

3. Into a large skillet or pot, add the olive oil and heat it up on medium-low heat. Once the oil is hot enough, cook the shallots for a minute or two until fragrant and translucent, then add in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add the marinara sauce on top of the shallot garlic mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook together for 4-6 minutes or until warmed thoroughly.

5. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture into the sauce and stir gently as everything is cooking. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until everything is combined and melty. Make sure to stir from time to time.

6. Mix in the drained pasta. Add in that cup of the pasta water if the cheese sauce seems a little dry, and continue mixing to combine everything together.
7. Top with more basil, oregano, and dollops of ricotta cheese. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for the Best Results

• Swap out a cheese you don't like for extras of different types of cheeses that you love.
• Mix in cooked chicken, ground turkey, or shrimp to make it a complete meal with protein.
• Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for heat.
• Assemble up to a day in advance to let the flavors develop and infuse, then bake in the oven as a baked ziti before serving.

Why You Need to Make this Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe!

• This four-cheese pasta recipe is made with only simple ingredients that can easily be found at the grocery store.
• Making a homemade version allows you to customize or add in anything you want, including meat or chicken.
• It's a great way to change up your usual pasta recipes every week.
• Very versatile. It can be used as a meal prep for lunches during the week or it looks pretty enough to be the star of the show at the weekend hangout.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Can I Make this Ahead of Time?

Yes! This dish keeps well in the fridge so you can definitely make it on a Sunday to have for the rest of the week.

Storage of Leftovers

To store, first you have to wait for the pasta to fully cool to room temperature. You never want to put hot food away in the fridge for it has a chance of spoiling.

Once it's cool, put it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge or freezer. It will last for 3-4 days at least in the fridge, or for a couple weeks in the freezer.

Can I Use a Different Pasta in this Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe?

You can use whichever shape you prefer. It won't change the flavor one bit, just the texture and how the sauce interacts with the pasta.

Penne is specifically nice with thick sauces because it's opening in the middle holds the sauce well inside. Shells would be the next best thing if you have them.

Can I use a store-bought Marinara Sauce?

Absolutely! To save yourself the time and energy, you can absolutely use a pre-made commercial marinara sauce. Get plain or unflavored if you can, since we will still be adding our own flavors to it. If you do get a flavored sauce, try to get an onion and garlic one to keep it the same with what we will be adding.

What is the Four-Cheese Pasta from Cheesecake Factory and What Does it Taste Like?

The four-cheese pasta is a popular Cheesecake Factory menu item for families all over the country. It's made with their own house-made pasta sauce from crushed tomatoes, four different kinds of cheese, and cooked pasta.

It has a perfect contrast of flavors with a slight tartness from the tomato sauce combined with creamy indulgence of different cheese. It creates the ultimate side for a delicious meal.

What should I serve with this recipe?

Grilled chicken breast is the top choice for what to pair with your pasta. My suggestion would be to grill the meat on its own then slice it into strips or pieces and top it onto your pasta. Here are a couple great chicken ideas you could use:

• The Best Herb Crusted Texas Roadhouse Chicken Copycat Recipe
• The Best Popeyes Blackened Chicken Recipe Copycat
• The Best Costco Chicken Skewers Recipe Copycat

The Best Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe