Easy White Sauce Penne Pasta Recipe: Creamy Italian Magic!

White sauce penne pasta combines creamy, velvety textures with delightful Italian-inspired comfort.

Rich, smooth dairy blends seamlessly with delicate pasta strands, creating a luxurious dining experience.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate this classic dish for its elegant simplicity.

Silky sauce coats each pasta piece, delivering incredible depth and satisfying flavor profiles.

Minimal ingredients upgrade into something magical through careful technique and precise cooking methods.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through this timeless recipe that welcomes countless personalized variations.

Subtle spices and fresh herbs elevate this creamy pasta from ordinary to extraordinary.

Why White Sauce Penne Pasta Is Comfort in a Bowl

• Whip Up Creamy Comfort: This white sauce penne delivers silky smooth textures that wrap around each pasta piece, creating a luxurious eating experience that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Master Quick Weeknight Magic: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal, perfect for busy families craving delicious dinners without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Cheesy Delight: The flexible recipe allows easy personalization by adding extra cheese varieties like mozzarella or adjusting seasonings, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and ingredient availability.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: The step-by-step sauce preparation using a classic roux technique ensures a lump-free, velvety white sauce that coats pasta perfectly, making it approachable for home cooks of all skill levels.

Ingredients for Creamy White Sauce Penne

• Penne Pasta: Classic tube-shaped pasta that holds sauce beautifully and provides hearty texture for the dish.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for white sauce with smooth melting properties.
• All-Purpose Flour: Essential thickening agent for creating smooth and consistent sauce texture.
• Milk: Adds creamy consistency and helps create classic white sauce foundation.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances depth of flavor and adds subtle savory undertones to the sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce with its natural texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Optional topping that adds extra melty, stretchy cheese element.
• Garlic, Minced: Provides aromatic and intense flavor profile to the sauce.
• Dried Parsley: Adds herbal note and visual appeal to the finished dish.
• Garlic Salt with Parsley Flakes, Salt: Balances and enhances overall seasoning of the pasta.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and completes the seasoning profile.

How to Make Penne Pasta with Silky White Sauce

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

• Place water in a large pot
• Add a pinch of salt
• Toss in penne pasta
• Cook until tender and al dente
• Drain pasta and set aside in a colander

Step 2: Create Magical Butter Base

• Grab a large saucepan
• Melt butter over medium heat
• Add fresh minced garlic
• Stir continuously for one minute until aromatic

Step 3: Build the Creamy Foundation

• Sprinkle flour into the buttery garlic mixture
• Whisk consistently for another minute
• This creates a smooth roux base

Step 4: Transform Into Silky Sauce

• Milk
• Chicken broth
• Gradually pour into roux
• Whisk constantly to prevent lumps
• Simmer until sauce thickens and bubbles

Step 5: Elevate With Cheesy Goodness

• Parmesan cheese
• Dried parsley
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper
• Stir all ingredients until cheese melts completely
• Sauce becomes velvety and smooth

Step 6: Marry Pasta With Sauce

• Pour sauce over cooked penne
• Gently toss until every pasta piece is coated
• Optional: Sprinkle mozzarella on top

Step 7: Serve With Flair

• Transfer to warm serving dish
• Garnish with extra parsley
• Dust with additional Parmesan
• Enjoy immediately while hot and creamy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Tips for Rich, Creamy Pasta That’s Not Too Heavy

• Whisk Wisely: Prevent lumpy sauce by gradually adding milk and broth while continuously whisking to ensure a silky smooth texture.
• Salt Strategically: Season the pasta water generously before cooking to enhance the overall flavor of the dish from the first step.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Remove the sauce from heat before adding cheese to prevent overcooking and maintain a creamy, velvety consistency.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook penne al dente to avoid mushy texture, ensuring it retains a slight bite when mixed with the white sauce.
• Temperature Trick: Let the sauce rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to allow it to thicken naturally and develop deeper flavors.

How to Store and Reheat Penne Without It Getting Clumpy

• Refrigeration: Store leftover white sauce penne pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Transfer pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm pasta in the microwave with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creamy texture. Stir every 30 seconds until heated through, preventing sauce from separating. Add extra cheese if desired for restored richness.

Sides and Toppings for White Sauce Penne

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay to complement the creamy white sauce's richness and balance the pasta's smooth texture.
• Serve with Fresh Garlic Bread: Create a crusty, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.
• Add Fresh Herb Salad: Prepare a simple mixed green salad with arugula, basil, and a light lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's creaminess and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Toss some roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus on the side to introduce a colorful, nutritious element that enhances the overall dining experience.

Penne Pasta Variations with Different Sauces

• Veggie Haven: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and add sautéed zucchini, spinach, and bell peppers for a nutrient-packed vegetarian version.
• Seafood Splash: Mix in cooked shrimp or crab meat to transform the pasta into a luxurious seafood white sauce creation with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
• Spicy Southern: Incorporate diced jalapeños, a dash of cayenne pepper, and crumbled chorizo sausage to give the creamy pasta a bold, fiery kick that awakens taste buds.
• Mediterranean Mix: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese to infuse the dish with authentic Mediterranean flavors and a tangy profile.

White Sauce Penne Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy white sauce penne pasta brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with its silky, rich texture. Parmesan cheese and herbs elevate this classic dish, creating a luxurious meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) package penne pasta
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
• Garlic salt with parsley flakes, or salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Thickening Agent:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente, then carefully drain and reserve.
2. In a spacious skillet, gently melt butter over medium flame, creating a silky base for the sauce.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, stirring vigorously to release its aromatic essence without browning.
4. Sprinkle flour into the butter-garlic mixture, whisking continuously to form a smooth, golden roux that will thicken the sauce.
5. Slowly stream milk and chicken broth into the roux, maintaining constant motion to prevent any unwanted lumps from forming.
6. Allow the liquid to simmer and transform, watching as the sauce gradually thickens and develops a luxurious consistency.
7. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, garlic salt, and black pepper, stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes velvety.
8. Gently fold the cooked penne into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is lavishly coated with the white sauce.
9. For extra indulgence, sprinkle mozzarella or additional Parmesan on top, letting it melt into the warm dish.
10. Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with a light dusting of fresh parsley or Parmesan for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Master the art of creating a silky-smooth sauce by whisking constantly and adding liquids gradually to prevent lumps.
• Customize this versatile pasta dish by adding cooked chicken, vegetables, or experimenting with different cheese combinations for a personalized touch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 68g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 60mg