White Sauce Pasta, a creamy and flavorful dish, features Penne Pasta coated in homemade Béchamel Sauce, enriched with garlic and Italian seasonings. This silky, smooth sauce, a blend of butter, flour, and milk, elevates the pasta, making it an ideal choice for lunch, dinner, or a satisfying after-school snack.
Fill a wide-bottomed pan with water, add oil and a pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil. Then, gently stir in the Penne Pasta.
Let the pasta cook for 7 to 10 minutes until it's tender. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
To Stir Fry the Vegetables
Heat a pan over medium heat and melt 1 tsp of butter. Add garlic and sauté until it becomes aromatic.
Then, add onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and carrots to the pan. Sauté until they soften.
Once the vegetables are cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside for later use.
To Make White Sauce Pasta
Place a pan over medium heat and melt 2 tsp of butter, then stir in all-purpose flour.
Blend the flour well to avoid lumps and cook until it becomes aromatic.
Gradually add 1 cup of milk, stirring continuously until the mixture starts to thicken.
Add the second cup of milk, continuing to stir. This gradual addition ensures a smooth, creamy sauce.
Mix in dried basil, oregano, parsley, pepper powder, chili flakes, and the previously sautéed veggies.
Once everything is well combined and the sauce has reached the desired consistency, your creamy White Sauce is ready to be served over Pasta.
To Serve
Serve the creamy White Sauce over the cooked Penne Pasta and enjoy this delicious dish for lunch, dinner, or as a delightful evening snack.
Notes
Here are some tips to elevate your White Sauce Pasta:
Pasta Texture: Cook the pasta according to package instructions, ensuring it's tender but not overly soft or mushy.
White Sauce: Achieving the right consistency for the White Sauce is key to this dish. For larger batches, refer to our dedicated post on making White Sauce to ensure perfect results.
Pasta Choices: While I've used Penne, feel free to substitute it with rotini, spaghetti, or linguine, depending on what you have available.
Adjusting Heat: The chili flakes and pepper powder add a nice warmth to the sauce. You can alter these amounts to suit your preferred spice level.
Adding Protein: This recipe uses vegetables, but you're welcome to incorporate proteins like chicken or shrimp.
Cheese Options: Though not included in this recipe, adding mozzarella or parmesan can enhance the creaminess and flavor.
Flour-Free Alternative: If you prefer not using flour, a combination of cream and Mozzarella cheese can be used to create a similar sauce consistency.