White Sauce Pasta
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Servings
4 people
This creamy white sauce pasta is a comforting weeknight dinner that's surprisingly easy to make. The rich béchamel sauce, made with a perfect blend of butter, flour, and milk, creates a velvety texture that coats your favorite pasta shape perfectly. The subtle nutmeg adds a warm depth of flavor, while the melted Parmesan cheese brings a touch of savory richness. This dish is both indulgent and satisfying, perfect for those nights when you want something comforting but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. The best part? You can customize it with your favorite vegetables or proteins to make it your own signature dish.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 400g pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
- 1 tsp salt (for pasta water)
White Sauce
- 4 tbsp (57g) unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp (32g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (475ml) whole milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook the flour.
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Keep whisking and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until well coated. Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Cooking Tips
- Make sure to whisk constantly when adding the milk to prevent lumps in your sauce.
- You can add cooked vegetables like peas or broccoli to make it more nutritious.
- For extra flavor, sauté some garlic in the butter before adding the flour.
