Creamy White Sauce Baked Pasta

What makes this dish special

This baked pasta is a simple, universally loved dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as an evening snack. The recipe is very versatile, allowing you to use any type of pasta, from long strands like linguini or spaghetti to short shapes like macaroni, penne, or fusilli. The key is to avoid the smallest rice grain pasta. The dish is also customizable with your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, or even mushrooms. The creamy white sauce is made with flour, milk, cream, and processed cheese, creating a rich and comforting flavor. The pasta is topped with mozzarella cheese and baked until bubbly and golden brown, resulting in a delicious and visually appealing meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 200g pasta (macaroni, penne, fusilli, etc.)
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 tsp + 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp maida (all-purpose flour)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 Tbsp fresh cream
• 2 Tbsp processed cheese, grated
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• ½ tsp oregano
• 2 tsp + to taste salt
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 1 tsp garlic, chopped finely
• ½ cup carrot, chopped
• ½ cup broccoli, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup zucchini, chopped
• ½ cup capsicum, chopped
• 2 Tbsp mozzarella cheese, grated
• ½ tsp parsley, chopped finely

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius on bake mode.
2. Boil the macaroni with 2 tsp oil and 2 tsp salt for about 2 minutes less than usual. Drain and keep aside (do not rinse). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
3. In a pan, take the oil and half the butter. Add the garlic and roast on medium flame for about a minute. Add the onions and saute until translucent.
4. Add the carrots, zucchini, and broccoli. Stir for about 2 to 3 minutes until soft.
5. Add the rest of the butter and flour. Saute for a couple of minutes.
6. Add the milk gradually.
7. Now add all the spices, capsicum, fresh cream, and processed cheese.
8. Bring to a boil, add the reserve pasta water to adjust consistency. Switch off the flame.
9. In a big bowl, add the sauce to the macaroni and mix well.
10. Pour mixture in a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and light pink.
11. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Tips:

• When boiling the pasta, add a little oil and salt to the water.
• Do not wash the pasta after draining.
• Cook the pasta for a couple of minutes less than usual, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
• Feel free to use any vegetables you like in this dish.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
• If you want to make a low-fat version of this dish, you can omit the cream.

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