Pasta with white sauce is a traditional Italian meal that is loved by people throughout. This delicious pasta dish is made with a creamy white sauce that is rich in flavor and texture and can be customized to include your favorite vegetables, meats, or seafood.
How To Make:
To make this tasty pasta dish, you will need a few basic ingredients including pasta, butter, flour, milk, cheese, and seasonings. Start by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions and set it aside. In a separate pan, melt some butter and add in some flour to create a roux. Cook the roux until it turns a light golden color, stirring constantly.
Next, gradually add in some milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer. At this point, you can add in your favorite seasonings such as garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs.
Once the sauce has reached the desired thickness and flavor, add in some grated cheese and stir until it has melted and incorporated into the sauce. You can also add in some cooked vegetables, meat, or seafood at this point if you desire.
Finally, add in the cooked pasta and stir until it is evenly coated with the sauce. Garnish with some fresh herbs or grated cheese and serve hot.
Here are some tips and variations
Use different types of pasta: While the classic choice for white sauce pasta is usually spaghetti, you can try using different types of pasta such as penne, fusilli, or farfalle to add some variety.
Add some protein: White sauce pasta is a great way to incorporate some protein into your meal. You can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or even bacon to your pasta dish for some extra flavor and texture.
Experiment with vegetables: You can add almost any vegetable to your white sauce pasta to make it more nutritious and flavorful. Try adding spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, or roasted red peppers to your pasta dish.
Use different types of cheese: While Parmesan cheese is a classic choice for white sauce pasta, you can experiment with different types of cheese such as cheddar, Gouda, or goat cheese to add some variety and depth of flavor to your pasta dish.
Make it spicy: If you like your pasta with a little kick, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to your white sauce to make it spicy.
Use cream instead of milk: For a richer and creamier sauce, you can use heavy cream instead of milk. This will add some extra calories, but it will also make your white sauce pasta more indulgent and satisfying.
Add herbs: Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or thyme can add a burst of flavor and freshness to your white sauce pasta. Simply chop up some fresh herbs and sprinkle them on top of your pasta dish before serving.
With these tips and variations, you can customize your white sauce pasta to your liking and create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Heat the butter by placing it in a pan.
Add the flour and whisk until smooth.
Pour the milk in gradually while continuously whisking to avoid lumps.
Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
Continue to cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and begins to simmer about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it's melted and the sauce is smooth.
Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce to evenly coat it. Serve hot, topped (if preferred) with more Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley that has been chopped.