Cheesy Pasta
Cheesy pasta is the ultimate comfort food, offering a warm, creamy embrace in every bite. This dish combines perfectly cooked pasta with a luscious cheese sauce that clings to each noodle, creating a delightful indulgence for any gathering or weeknight dinner. With its rich flavors and customizable ingredients, cheesy pasta is sure to become a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and reserve some pasta water.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream and garlic powder; stir until heated through (3-5 minutes).
- Gradually add shredded cheddar while stirring until melted and smooth (about 4 minutes).
- Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
- For an optional baked finish, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and bake for 15 minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg