White Sauce for Pasta
Transform your pasta dishes with this luxurious, velvety white sauce, a simple yet versatile recipe perfect for both weeknight dinners and elegant meals. Made with pantry staples like unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and whole milk, this classic béchamel-style sauce delivers a creamy base that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta. With just a touch of seasoning—salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg for a hint of warmth—this sauce is delightfully customizable, especially when enriched with grated Parmesan for added depth and cheesiness. Ready in just 15 minutes, this silky smooth pasta sauce is ideal for fettuccine, penne, or as a foundation for your favorite baked pasta dishes. Whether you're seeking a quick comfort meal or a sophisticated spin, this white sauce will elevate your pasta game effortlessly.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 0.125 teaspoons Grated nutmeg (optional)
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until fully melted and slightly bubbly, being careful not to brown it.
Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk constantly to create a smooth paste (roux). Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, but do not let it brown.
Gradually pour in the milk, about 1/4 cup at a time, while continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Keep stirring until all the milk is incorporated, and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, still whisking, until it thickens to your desired consistency. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Keep in mind the sauce will thicken slightly more as it cools.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
For added flavor, whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated, if desired.
Remove the sauce from heat and use immediately to coat cooked pasta. If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a small amount of milk to adjust the consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
285 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.9 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.2 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 51 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 584 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.9 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g | ||
| Protein | 12.1 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 351 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 184 mg | 4% | |
*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.
