Creamy Baked Cheese Pasta
Ingredients:
300 g (about 3 cups) pasta (penne, ziti, or rigatoni)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream (optional but makes it richer)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook until al dente (firm but cooked).
Drain and set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion (optional) and garlic; sauté until soft.
Add the flour and stir for 1 minute to form a paste (roux).
Slowly add milk and whisk to avoid lumps.
Add heavy cream and stir until the sauce thickens.
Add mozzarella, cheddar, and half of the parmesan.
Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Combine pasta and sauce
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix until well coated.
4. Bake
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Transfer the pasta mixture into a baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan on top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly on top.
5. Serve
Garnish with chopped parsley.
Serve warm with bread or salad.
If you’d like, I can also give you a chicken version, spicy version, or vegetarian version.
