If you’re looking for a quick, comforting pasta dinner that everyone loves, this White Sauce Penne Pasta is the answer. Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, it comes together in about 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
We love pasta so much that it shows up on our dinner table every Tuesday night, and this white sauce pasta is one of our most requested recipes. It’s so easy that even the older kids can make it on their own—and that alone makes it a winner in our house.
Serve it with crispy fried zucchini or warm cheesy garlic bread, and you’ve got a complete, satisfying meal in no time.
Why You’ll Love This White Sauce Pasta
- Quick and easy – Ready from start to finish in about 20 minutes
- Made with basic ingredients – Butter, flour, milk, and cheese
- Creamy and comforting – Rich without being heavy
- Versatile – Use as a base for Alfredo, pizza, or lasagna
- Customizable – Add chicken, shrimp, or vegetables
What Is White Sauce?
White sauce, also known as béchamel, starts with a simple roux made from butter and flour, then milk is whisked in until smooth and creamy. Add cheese, and you have a rich, flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta and countless other dishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Penne pasta (or rotini, macaroni, or any short pasta)
- Unsalted butter
- Minced garlic
- All-purpose flour
- Milk (whole milk for the creamiest sauce)
- Chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Mozzarella cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Dried parsley
- Garlic salt and black pepper, to taste
How to Make White Sauce Penne Pasta
1. Cook the pasta
Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the roux
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add flour and cook for another minute, stirring, to remove the raw flour taste.
3. Build the sauce
Slowly pour in the milk and broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil, about 5 minutes.
4. Season and add cheese
Stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
5. Combine and serve
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Stir in mozzarella if using and serve warm.
Pro Tips for the Best White Sauce
- Cook the flour long enough to avoid a raw flour taste
- Add milk slowly while whisking constantly to keep the sauce smooth
- For extra richness, swap part of the milk for half-and-half or cream
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of pasta water or milk
Make It Your Own
- Add protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon
- Add veggies: Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, peas, or zucchini
- Spice it up: Red pepper flakes or a pinch of nutmeg
White Sauce Penne Pasta Recipe Card
White Sauce Penne Pasta
Creamy, cheesy penne pasta made with a simple white sauce—easy, comforting, and ready in just 20 minutes.
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15–20 minutes
Ingredients
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- Garlic salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk and broth. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add pasta and mozzarella (if using). Stir and serve warm.