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This super simple and delicious White Sauce Pasta recipe is packed with flavor, loved by all and on the table in 20 minutes.

White sauce recipe on top of penne pasta topped with fresh herbs.
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Too good NOT to Love!

We LOVE pasta so much that we have it for dinner every Tuesday night.

Our White Sauce Pasta recipe is one that is so simple and loved so much that it’s made at least once a month. In fact, it’s so easy that the older kids can make it on their own.

We love to serve it with some Fried Zucchini and Cheesy Garlic Bread (or Knots) and especially love that it’s made in no time. It’s honestly too good not to love.

Why you’ll love it:

  • Simple and quick. You can make it start to finish in about 20 minutes.
  • Basic ingredients. This type of sauce uses a flour roux made with flour, butter, and milk.
  • Versatile. You can use the white sauce (also known as Béchamel sauce) as a base for other sauces (like Alfredo Sauce),or on pizza or in lasagna.
  • Customizable. You can add any veggies or protein you like! Our favorite is adding chicken to make a Chicken Penne Pasta.
Cooked Penne noodles in colander.

Ingredients

  • penne – or another short pasta like macaroni or rotini
  • unsalted butter
  • minced garlic
  • all-purpose flour – Make a gluten-free substitute using four parts potato starch to three parts cornflour. Once you have the mixture, measure out 3 tablespoons and use it in place of the flour.
  • milk – Use whole milk for the creamiest pasta sauce, but you can also use 2% or fat free milk. If you want it extra thick, use half and half or heavy cream.
  • chicken broth – or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version
  • mozzarella & parmesan cheese To make the cheese sauce extra cheesy, add up to ½ cup more of each. 
  • season with parsley, garlic salt & black pepper – You can also add a teaspoon of red chili flakes or nutmeg.
Creamy Pasta Sauce in a skillet.

How to Make White Sauce Pasta

  1. PASTA. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. ROUX. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute more.
  3. BOIL. Add milk and broth to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens about 5 minutes.
  4. SEASON. Add Parmesan, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted.
  5. SERVE. Add pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Add mozzarella and stir until melted. Serve warm.

Pro Tip!

When adding flour to the butter, make sure to cook it long enough or it will taste like flour. While adding milk, take your time pouring it slowly and whisk constantly or it may have lumps.

For even more tips, check out How to Make a Roux!

Close up image of penne pasta covered in white sauce.
4.98 from 871 votes

White Sauce Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This super simple and delicious white sauce recipe is packed with flavor. This dish is perfect by itself or you can add chicken too!
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (16-ounce) package (about 4 cups) penne
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • garlic salt with parsley flakes or salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese or additional Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute more.
  • Add milk and broth and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens about 5 minutes.
  • Add Parmesan, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted.
  • Add pasta to the sauce and stir to combine. Add mozzarella and stir until melted. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Variations. Try adding cubed grilled chicken, chicken sausage, diced ham or shrimp for protein, or adding vegetables like halved cherry tomatoes or steamed asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, or mushrooms. You can also change up the flavoring with spices and herbs such as red chili flakes (for heat), dried Italian seasoning, and fresh basil or parsley.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 191kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 512mg, Potassium: 117mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 450IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 251mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

  • Protein. Try adding meats such as grilled chicken, diced ham, or shrimp (we love our Chicken Penne Pasta).
  • Produce. Add produce such as halved cherry tomatoes, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
  • Leftover cream pasta sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
  • We typically REHEAT this pasta in the microwave, but this can also be done in a pot on the stove. You may need to add a little more broth if it’s too thick when reheating.
  • If you plan to freeze this dish, leave the pasta undercooked as the freezing process will make thoroughly cooked pasta mushy. Store the cooked dish in a freezer-safe airtight container for months.
    • To reheat. Thaw this simple pasta recipe in the fridge and reheat on the stove top stirring constantly to keep the cream base from curdling. Adding a bit more milk will help smooth out the texture.

For more easy pasta recipes:

Recipe adapted from HERE.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.98 from 871 votes (611 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




587 Comments

  1. Sera says:

    i love your idea an cant wait to try it! But i have one questioN, can i subst SOMETHING for The broth? If i can then Can u please give me a suggestion?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I don’t know if it’s because of dietary needs, but you can always use water or maybe milk. Google has more suggestions 😉 It really is so good, I hope you find something to use instead.

  2. ChRistine says:

    5 stars
    DEliciOus and easy! My kids loved it. so creamy

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      My kids love it & they can be picky! I am glad yours did, too! Thank you so much!

  3. Carissa says:

    5 stars
    Such an easy and YUMMY recipe. My husband and kids Kept going back for seconds! We ate it as a side dish but I’m def goIng to make it wIth broccoLi and grilled chicken next time. My hUsband Kept eXClaiming it as the best Pasta ever lol. Easy, pantry ingredients and loved by all!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Great idea about adding broccoli & chicken! SO happy your family liked it! Thank you!

  4. @Nikolina_84 says:

    5 stars
    added some mushrooms and it was delicious! We will definitely make this again. Thank you!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Perfect! Thank you for sharing that!

  5. SArah says:

    5 stars
    DELICIOUS! I MADE THIS FOR DINNER TONIGHT, AND THERE WEREN’T ANY LEFTOVERS! THE RECIPE IS SIMPLE, AND IT USES INGREDIENTS THAT I ALWAYS HAVE ON HAND. THIS WILL BE PART OF OUR REGULAR DINNER ROTATION FOR SURE!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad it made the rotation! Thank you for saying that!

  6. SArah says:

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner tonight, and There were no leftovers! It was so delicious! The recipe was simple, and it uses ingredients that I always have on hand. This will definitely make it into our regular dinner rotation. YAY!

  7. Nina says:

    5 stars
    oNE OF MY FAVORITE AND MOST COOKED RECIPES, LOVE CREAMY PASTA!!!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      So happy you liked it! It’s one of my favorites, too! Thank you!

  8. Kristy dewitt says:

    5 stars
    This white sauce pasta is sooooo yummy and sooooo easy to make! Everyone in my house gobbled it up! definitely adding this to Our regular dinner rotation. Thank you!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Happy it was as hit!! Thank you for letting me know!

  9. Jenny Lee says:

    5 stars
    Super easy to make anD it was a hit with all 5 of my kids…..so bonus! This would be super easy to aDd INGREDIENTs (musHrooms, chicken, etc) to as well. Great recipe.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      For sure! It would be great with so much! I am happy your kids liked it! Thank you!

  10. Tara Gallas says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! Easy to make and quick, too! I added extra cheese, per her tip and enjoyed that!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you liked it! Thank you!