Pasta with Cheese Sauce
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this rich and creamy Pasta with Cheese Sauce recipe! Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this dish combines tender pasta with a luscious homemade cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. The sauce is velvety smooth, thanks to a roux of butter and flour, enhanced with a hint of garlic powder for a subtle depth of flavor. Simple yet satisfying, this pasta is topped with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Serve it as a hearty main dish or pair it with a crisp green salad for a balanced meal!
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 8 cups water
Directions
Step 1
Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt, then add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and slightly golden.
Step 3
Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, making sure there are no lumps. Continue to whisk the mixture until it starts to thicken, which should take about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Reduce the heat to low and begin to fold in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 5
Season the cheese sauce with 0.5 teaspoon of garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Step 6
Add the drained pasta back into the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir well until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 7
Garnish the pasta with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley before serving. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy pasta with cheese sauce!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (3095.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2211.4 |
| Total Fat 146.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 90.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g | |
| Cholesterol 447.9mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3578.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 130.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 5.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 26.7g | |
| Protein 107.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 262.7IU | 0% |
| Calcium 2825.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 5.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1201.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories