White sauce pasta has always been my ultimate comfort food. I remember my mom making a simple version for busy weeknights, and the smell of simmering garlic and rich cream filling the kitchen instantly made everything feel cozy. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a warm hug in a bowl. This particular creamy pasta recipe takes that nostalgic feeling and elevates it with tender grilled chicken and a perfectly smooth, garlicky sauce that coats every strand of fettuccine. You’ll love how easily this comes together, making it a fantastic option for any night of the week. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This White Sauce Pasta
This recipe is a winner for so many reasons. It’s the perfect blend of rich, comforting flavors and simple preparation. You’ll adore how creamy and satisfying it is without being overly complicated.
- Incredible Taste: It’s decadently creamy with a rich garlic-parmesan flavor that’s pure comfort food.
- Super Speedy: With a total time of just 30 minutes, this is one of those quick creamy pasta meals that saves the day.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses common pantry staples, making it an economical choice for a delicious dinner.
- Family Approved: Even picky eaters will ask for seconds of this satisfying dish.
- Easy to Make: Seriously, this easy white sauce pasta comes together with minimal fuss.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable with different proteins or vegetables for endless meal possibilities.
- Satisfying & Filling: It’s hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own.
Ingredients for White Sauce Pasta
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delicious pasta with béchamel sauce. This recipe relies on simple, high-quality ingredients for that perfect creamy texture and rich flavor. Don’t skip the freshly grated parmesan; it truly makes a difference!
- 300g fettuccine pasta – or your favorite long pasta shape
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts – trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – for searing the chicken
- 1 teaspoon paprika – for color and mild flavor
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – complements fresh garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt – divided, for pasta water and sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper – freshly ground is best
- 2 tablespoons butter – the base for our roux
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour – to thicken the sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – fresh garlic is key for flavor
- 1½ cups whole milk – provides a creamy foundation
- ½ cup heavy cream – for extra richness and velvety texture
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese – adds a salty, nutty depth
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) – for a hint of heat
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or oregano for garnish – adds freshness and color
How to Make White Sauce Pasta
Let’s get this delicious meal started! Making this from scratch is easier than you think, and the results are so worth it. You’ll see just how simple it is to create a truly homemade white sauce pasta.
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, season the chicken breasts generously with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Grill the seasoned chicken breasts over medium-high heat. Cook for about 6–7 minutes per side, until they are fully cooked through and have lovely grill marks. Let them rest on a cutting board for about 5-10 minutes before slicing thinly. This resting period is crucial for keeping the chicken juicy.
- Step 3: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until it’s al dente – tender but with a slight bite. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of that starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta well.
- Step 4: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced fresh garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it’s fragrant and just starting to turn golden. Be careful not to burn it!
- Step 5: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the melted butter and garlic. Whisk constantly for about 1 minute to form a smooth paste, known as a roux. This step helps cook out the raw flour taste.
- Step 6: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking and cooking over medium heat for about 5–6 minutes, or until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. The aroma is amazing!
- Step 7: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. This is the heart of how to make white sauce pasta taste amazing.
- Step 8: Season the sauce with the remaining salt and black pepper, plus the optional red pepper flakes for a little kick. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Step 9: Add the cooked fettuccine directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything gently to coat every strand of pasta. If the sauce seems a bit too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
- Step 10: Serve the pasta immediately. Spoon it into bowls, top with the sliced grilled chicken, and garnish with dried parsley or oregano and a little extra parmesan cheese, if you like. Enjoy your delicious homemade white sauce pasta!
Pro Tips for the Best White Sauce Pasta
Want to elevate your pasta game? These little tricks will make your creamy pasta truly unforgettable. They’re simple but make a world of difference in achieving that restaurant-quality taste and texture right in your own kitchen.
- Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- Don’t skip reserving the pasta water! It’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency without diluting the flavor.
- For an even richer sauce, use a mix of whole milk and half-and-half instead of just milk and cream.
- Ensure your roux (butter and flour mixture) cooks for at least a minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
What’s the secret to perfect White Sauce Pasta?
The secret to a perfect authentic béchamel pasta lies in the roux and gradually adding the liquid. Cooking the flour and butter together first removes any raw flour taste, and slowly whisking in the milk and cream prevents lumps, ensuring a silky smooth sauce.
Can I make White Sauce Pasta ahead of time?
You can prepare the components ahead of time. Cook the pasta and chicken, and make the sauce separately. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove, then toss with freshly cooked pasta and the chicken. This way, you can quickly assemble a delicious pasta dish with creamy sauce whenever you need it.
How do I avoid common mistakes with White Sauce Pasta?
The most common issue is a lumpy sauce. To prevent this, whisk the milk and cream in gradually and continuously. Also, avoid overheating the sauce once the cheese is added, as this can cause it to break or become oily. Remember, why is my white sauce pasta lumpy? – it’s usually from adding liquid too quickly or not whisking enough!
Best Ways to Serve White Sauce Pasta
This creamy pasta is a star on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a few complementary dishes. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a fresh salad or some crusty bread. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly.
If you’re looking for something more substantial, this dish is already a complete meal with the chicken. However, if you want to enhance the flavors, consider serving this chicken white sauce pasta with a side of steamed or roasted asparagus or broccoli. These vibrant green vegetables add a nice color contrast and a fresh, slightly bitter note that balances the creamy sauce. For an extra special touch, serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a side of garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce!
Nutrition Facts for White Sauce Pasta
Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings):
- Calories: 620
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
How to Store and Reheat White Sauce Pasta
Leftover creamy pasta is a gift that keeps on giving! To properly store your delicious white sauce pasta, first let it cool down to room temperature. This usually takes about an hour. Avoid leaving it out for longer than two hours to maintain food safety. Once cooled, transfer the pasta into airtight containers. You can store it in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. For longer-term storage, this pasta freezes surprisingly well! Seal it in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Reheating is super simple. For refrigerated portions, gently warm the pasta in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk or water if the sauce seems too thick. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. If reheating from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator first before using the stovetop or microwave methods. Enjoy your perfectly reheated pasta dish!
Frequently Asked Questions About White Sauce Pasta
What is white sauce pasta?
Essentially, white sauce pasta refers to any pasta dish where the primary sauce component is a creamy, white-hued sauce. This often involves a béchamel base, which is made from a roux (butter and flour) and milk, enriched with cheese, cream, or other flavorings. It’s a classic comfort food enjoyed worldwide in many variations.
How do I make a creamy pasta sauce?
To make a truly creamy pasta sauce, start with a good béchamel. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in an equal amount of flour to create a roux, and cook for a minute. Gradually whisk in warm milk or cream until smooth and thickened. For extra creaminess, stir in grated cheese like Parmesan or Gruyère until melted. Season generously with salt, pepper, and any herbs or spices you like. The key is slow, steady whisking!
Can I use different types of pasta with white sauce?
Absolutely! While fettuccine is a classic pairing, most pasta shapes work beautifully with a rich white sauce. Thicker strands like linguine, spaghetti, or bucatini hold up well, as do shapes with nooks and crannies like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli, which trap the creamy sauce wonderfully. Experiment to find your favorite combination for this delicious pasta dish with creamy sauce.
Why is my white sauce pasta watery?
If your white sauce pasta is watery, it might be due to a few reasons. You might have added too much liquid (milk or cream) to the roux without letting it thicken sufficiently. Alternatively, if you added cheese too quickly or over high heat, it might have caused the sauce to separate. Using too much reserved pasta water can also dilute the sauce. Always add liquid slowly and whisk continuously until thickened.
Variations of White Sauce Pasta You Can Try
While this grilled chicken version is fantastic, the beauty of white sauce pasta is its versatility! You can easily adapt it to suit your tastes, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand. It’s a wonderful base for so many delicious meals.
- Vegetarian Delight: Skip the chicken and load up on veggies! Roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or even some tender asparagus make for a fantastic vegetable white sauce pasta. You could also add a can of drained chickpeas for extra protein.
- Mushroom Lover’s Dream: For a deeply savory and earthy flavor, sauté a mix of mushrooms (like cremini, shiitake, or oyster) until golden brown and tender. Stir them into the sauce along with the parmesan for an incredible creamy mushroom pasta recipe.
- Seafood Twist: Add cooked shrimp or scallops to the sauce in the last few minutes of cooking. The delicate seafood pairs beautifully with the rich, creamy sauce for an elegant meal.
- Lighter Version: If you’re looking for a slightly lighter option, try using milk with a lower fat content and reducing the heavy cream, or even omitting it. You can also incorporate more vegetables to bulk up the dish without adding many calories.
Amazing White Sauce Pasta: 1 Easy Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich, creamy, and garlicky white sauce pasta recipe topped with tender grilled chicken. This dish is quick to make, comforting, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 300g fettuccine pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let rest, then slice thinly.
- Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add flour and whisk for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cream, cooking until sauce thickens, about 5–6 minutes.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Plate pasta, top with sliced grilled chicken, and garnish with herbs and extra cheese.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the creamiest texture and boldest flavor.
- Always reserve pasta water—it helps loosen the sauce without thinning the flavor.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg