Cheesy Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy Cheesy Pasta recipe, a quick and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Featuring tender penne or elbow pasta coated in a luscious homemade cheese sauce made from a trio of cheddar, parmesan, and cream cheese, this recipe is a dream for cheese lovers. With just a handful of pantry staples, including butter, milk, and flour, you’ll create a velvety roux-based sauce that’s seasoned to perfection with a dash of garlic powder and black pepper. Ready in just 30 minutes, this indulgent pasta dish is easy to prepare and guaranteed to please the whole family. Serve it hot and garnish with extra parmesan or fresh parsley for a touch of elegance. Perfect as a main course or side dish, this comforting cheesy pasta is sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams pasta (penne or elbow)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoons garlic powder (optional)
- 2 liters water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Bring 2 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt to the water.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the flour to the melted butter, whisking continuously for 1-2 minutes to make a roux. Ensure the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to combine with the roux. Continue to cook and whisk for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, and cream cheese. Mix until all the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (optional). Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, tossing gently to coat all the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Serve warm, garnished with an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese or freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2245 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 150.5 g | 193% | |
| Saturated Fat | 86.0 g | 430% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 418 mg | 139% | |
| Sodium | 3390 mg | 147% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 138.1 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.0 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.4 g | ||
| Protein | 97.3 g | 195% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.3 mcg | 31% | |
| Calcium | 2468 mg | 190% | |
| Iron | 4.7 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 1192 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
