Easy baked pasta with white sauce is so quick to make with no roux. This recipe can be easily customized with so many mix-in or add-in options, your pasta of choice, and then mixed into the creamy cheesy sauce.
Looking to make traditional easy béchamel white sauce? Check this recipe out.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
Pasta - Use your favorite shape, size, or kind. Penne, cavatappi, ziti, rigatoni, shells, bow-tie, spaghetti, gluten-free, red lentil, chickpea, whole wheat, or even high protein.
Half-Half - This recipe uses half-half which is thicker than just whole milk. You can use heavy creamy as a substitute. Thin it out a bit with pasta water, if needed.
Cheese- White melting cheese is ideal, parmesan, white sharp cheddar, pecorino romano, mozzarella, or white american cheese.
Spices & Seasonings - Dried or fresh spices and herbs add so much flavor, onion and garlic powder, nutmeg, white pepper, parsley, basil, or cayenne for a touch of heat.
What Can Be Added Into Baked Pasta White Sauce?
Creamy pasta bake is the perfect canvas for flavor. Add your favorite meats, vegetables, spices, and herbs to make it extra special.
Fully cooked add in’s or mix in’s are best, with a faster cooking time and not worrying if it’s cooked enough.
Meat and Seafood Add In’s
Saute, slice, or chop fully cooked chicken, sausage, bacon, ham, or beef. Open a can of tuna, salmon, or chicken. Deli meats, pepperoni, salami, and turkey.
Vegetable & Fruit Add In’s
Vegetables can be used frozen, canned, jarred, or fresh. Roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions, garlic, baby spinach, zucchini, broccoli, peas, carrots, corn, olives, tomatoes, asparagus, artichoke, kale, leeks, jalapeños, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and green beans.
Spices and Herbs Add In’s
Fresh or dried herbs and spices, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, green onion, white and black pepper.
Flavorful Liquids
Add a tablespoon or two of flavor-boosting liquids like lemon or lime juice, white wine, vodka, tequila, reserved pasta water, and vegetable or meat broth.
Pasta & Cheeses
Choose your favorite short or long pasta like penne, ziti, rigatoni, bow tie, shells, spirals, spaghetti, bucatini, and linguini. Top with crumbled feta, shredded mozzarella, cream cheese, mascarpone, crema, queso fresco, or sour cream.
How To Serve Baked Pasta With White Sauce
This creamy pasta can be served as a one-pan pasta dinner and taken right to the dinner table.
Since the oven is going, side dishes include roasted vegetables and garlic bread or a cool and crispy salad. Try this Viral Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad recipe.
Leftovers and Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and easily reheated in the microwave or oven. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- Start by boiling the water for the pasta and preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the pasta using the package directions to al dente.
2. Strain and place in a bowl. Toss with a little oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
3. Grab your prepped ingredients for the white sauce. Shredded parmesan and white cheddar, half and half, and spices. I used white pepper, nutmeg, garlic and onion powder. Set aside shredded mozzarella for layering.
4. In a large pot or saucepan on low to medium heat add half and half. Mix until warm to hot, not boiling. Slowly mix in shredded cheese, white cheddar and parmesan.
5. Mix well and add the spices, herbs, or any flavorful liquid add-ins.
6. Pour in cooked pasta into the creamy white sauce.
7. Mix well.
8. To a 9x13 baking dish add half of the creamy pasta mixture.
9. Top with any fully cooked add-in's like meats or vegetables and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. I used cooked sliced sausage in this recipe.
10. Add the remaining half of the creamy pasta and spread evenly. Top with remaining shredded mozzarella cheese. Place in the oven uncovered to bake.
12. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Top with parsley and enjoy.
Easy Baked Pasta With White Sauce
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Heavy Bottom Pot or Large Saucepan
- Strainer or Sieve
- Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- Whisk
- Hand Grater or Food Processor
- Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Half and Half
- 1 ½ Cups Finely Shredded Parmesan
- 8oz Shredded White Cheddar
- 8oz Shredded Mozzarella
- ½ lb Pasta (½ Box)
- Water, Spices, and Herbs Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Nutmeg, and White Pepper
Instructions
Cook Pasta
- Cook pasta using the package directions to al dente or minus a couple of minutes from the cooking time. Strain and place in a bowl. Toss with a little oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make Creamy White Sauce
- In a large pot or saucepan on low to medium heat add half and half. Mix until warm to hot, not boiling. Slowly mix in shredded white cheddar, parmesan, and spices. Mix until nice and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta to the white sauce. Mix well.
Assembly and Baking
- To a 9x13 baking dish add ½ of the creamy pasta mixture. Top with any cooked meats or vegetables and ½ of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Layer on the other half of the creamy pasta mixture evenly and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 15 until golden brown. Enjoy.
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