Easy Cheesy Pasta
Creamy, indulgent, and ready in just 30 minutes, this Easy Cheesy Pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. Featuring tender pasta coated in a velvety cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan, this dish is a surefire hit for cheese lovers. A simple roux turns milk into a luscious base, while a touch of garlic powder and fresh parsley add optional flair without complicating the process. Perfectly customizable with any pasta shape, this versatile recipe delivers on both flavor and convenience. Whether you're feeding a family or treating yourself, this quick and easy cheesy pasta promises restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams Pasta (any shape, such as penne or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 1.5 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour to create a roux. Cook for about 1 minute, whisking continuously, to remove the raw flour taste.
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth, about 3–4 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese, a handful at a time, until fully melted and creamy.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
Transfer the cheesy pasta to serving bowls. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for garnish, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1740 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 102.3 g | 131% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.7 g | 318% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 331 mg | 110% | |
| Sodium | 4470 mg | 194% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 119.5 g | 43% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.8 g | ||
| Protein | 91.1 g | 182% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.5 mcg | 27% | |
| Calcium | 2295 mg | 177% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 918 mg | 20% | |
*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.
