10+ White Sauce Pasta Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

White sauce pasta is one of those creamy, comforting dishes that just hits the spot. You’ll find it’s made by tossing pasta in a rich, smooth sauce that works with all sorts of add-ins, so it never gets boring.

You can whip up white sauce pasta at home with basic ingredients and a little bit of kitchen confidence.

This pasta is a lifesaver for quick meals. You can tweak it—go cheesy, garlicky, or load it with veggies—so it always feels fresh.

Ingredients:

• Pasta (like penne or spaghetti)
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook pasta as the package says, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Stir in flour, cook for about a minute or two.
4. Slowly add milk, whisking so you don’t get lumps.
5. Let the sauce thicken—it’ll take about 5-7 minutes.
6. Add cheese if you want, season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss pasta in the sauce and serve warm.

1) Classic Béchamel White Sauce Pasta

Béchamel sauce is kind of the OG creamy pasta sauce. It’s just butter, flour, and milk, and it comes out smooth and thick—perfect for pasta.

Melt butter in a pan, then stir in the flour. Let it cook for a minute so it doesn’t taste raw.

Pour in warm milk slowly, whisking as you go. You want it lump-free.

Keep stirring until it thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if you’re feeling fancy.

Toss it with cooked pasta. That’s it—simple and so good.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups warm milk
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• 8 ounces pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir in flour, cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk in warm milk until smooth.
5. Stir until the sauce thickens.
6. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
7. Mix sauce with pasta and serve warm.

You can find more tips on making creamy béchamel sauce in this Creamy Béchamel Sauce guide.

2) Creamy Parmesan White Sauce Pasta

This one’s a classic for cheese lovers. Melt butter and garlic together in a pan—your kitchen will smell amazing.

Pour in cream, add Parmesan, and let it melt into a velvety sauce. You can cook the pasta right in the sauce or just toss it together at the end.

It’s perfect for a quick dinner. Try a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta, drain, and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic, sauté for a minute or two.
4. Pour in cream, bring to a simmer.
5. Stir in Parmesan until it melts and thickens.
6. Add pasta to the sauce, toss gently.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want.
8. Serve warm.

3) Low-Fat Milk White Sauce Pasta

You can make a creamy white sauce pasta with low-fat milk if you want something lighter. It’s not as heavy as Alfredo but still tastes great.

Start with butter and flour, cook them together, then slowly add low-fat milk. Stir until the sauce thickens.

Add some garlic and cheese for extra flavor—just enough to make it tasty without overdoing the fat.

This sauce works with any pasta shape. Throw in cooked chicken or veggies if you’re hungry for more.

Ingredients

• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ cup grated cheese (Parmesan or your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 ounces pasta

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta, drain, set aside.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Stir in flour, cook for a minute or two.
4. Slowly add milk, whisking so it stays smooth.
5. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thick, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Stir in cheese until melted.
7. Toss sauce with pasta and serve warm.

Learn more about making creamy white sauces with low-fat milk here.

4) Cheesy Garlic White Sauce Penne

Cheesy garlic white sauce penne is a no-brainer for a quick, satisfying meal. Cook your penne until it’s just right—not mushy.

While that’s going, make your sauce. Melt butter, add a pile of minced garlic, and let it get fragrant.

Stir in flour, cook it for a minute, then pour in milk slowly. Stir to get a thick, creamy sauce.

Add a bunch of shredded cheese and let it melt. Combine with pasta and you’re done in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 250g penne pasta
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil penne in salted water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in flour, cook for a minute or two.
4. Gradually whisk in milk, cook until thick.
5. Add cheese, stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss pasta in sauce and serve warm.

5) Vegetable-Packed White Sauce Pasta

Want to eat more veggies? This pasta makes it easy. Toss in bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, peas—whatever you’ve got.

The sauce is your usual butter, flour, and milk combo, nice and creamy. Cook the veggies and sauce in the same pan to keep things simple.

Honestly, it’s a great dinner when you’re short on time. Garlic bread on the side? Never a bad idea.

Ingredients

• Pasta – 8 oz
• Mixed veggies (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, peas) – 2 cups
• Butter – 2 tbsp
• All-purpose flour – 2 tbsp
• Milk – 2 cups
• Garlic (minced) – 2 cloves
• Salt – to taste
• Black pepper – to taste
• Grated cheese (optional) – ½ cup

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta, drain.
2. Melt butter in a pan, sauté garlic for a minute or two.
3. Add veggies, cook 5-7 minutes until tender.
4. Stir in flour, cook for a minute.
5. Slowly add milk, stirring.
6. Cook sauce until thick, about 5 minutes.
7. Add salt, pepper, cheese if you want.
8. Mix pasta with sauce and veggies.
9. Serve warm, maybe with garlic bread.

For more on making a simple, creamy white sauce pasta with veggies, check this vegetable white sauce pasta recipe.

6) Blond Roux White Sauce Pasta

Start blond roux white sauce pasta by melting butter in a pan. Add flour, cook it until it turns a pale golden color.

Whisk in milk slowly, stirring the whole time. Let the sauce cook until it’s thick and smooth.

Toss in cheese or seasonings if you want. Mix with cooked pasta and you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cooked pasta
• Optional: grated cheese, garlic powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in flour, cook 2-3 minutes until pale golden.
3. Gradually whisk in milk.
4. Cook and stir until sauce thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Mix sauce with pasta and serve.

7) Three-Ingredient Creamy White Sauce

If you’re in a hurry, this one’s for you. Just butter, flour, and milk—nothing fancy.

Melt the butter, add flour, stir until it’s a thick paste. Pour in milk slowly, keep stirring to dodge lumps.

Cook until it thickens. That’s your classic white sauce, ready for pasta.

You can add salt, pepper, or cheese to jazz it up.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Stir in flour, cook 1-2 minutes (don’t let it brown).
3. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly.
4. Cook until thick, about 5 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper as you like.

8) Butter and Flour White Sauce Pasta

Start with a basic roux—just melt some butter in a pan over medium heat. Toss in the flour and give it a good stir.

Let that cook for a minute or two. This step gets rid of that raw flour taste nobody wants.

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking the whole time. It helps keep the sauce nice and smooth, not lumpy.

Keep stirring until the sauce thickens up. You can stop when it looks just right to you.

Season with some salt and pepper. A little grated cheese? Why not—it adds a great kick.

Once the sauce is ready, mix it into your cooked pasta. Serve it warm and dig in.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup grated cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add flour and stir for 1-2 minutes.
3. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
4. Cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and cheese.
6. Mix sauce with cooked pasta and enjoy.

9) Cream and Cheese Rich White Sauce

This sauce is all about creamy, cheesy goodness. Start by gently melting cream cheese in a pan.

Once it softens, add some heavy cream. Stir often so nothing sticks.

If you like, toss in a little garlic or some sautéed mushrooms. Let the sauce simmer on low heat until it thickens up a bit.

Pour it over your favorite pasta—fettuccine works great. Mix everything together and you’re set.

Ingredients

• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt cream cheese in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add heavy cream and stir until smooth.
3. Mix in Parmesan cheese and garlic if using.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes until thick.
6. Pour over cooked pasta and mix.

10) Herbed White Sauce Spaghetti

Let’s talk about herbed white sauce spaghetti. This one’s honestly a breeze to whip up, and it feels cozy every time.

Start by melting some butter in a pan—don’t let it brown, just melt it gently. Toss in the flour and stir it around until you’ve got a smooth, golden paste.

Now, slowly pour in the milk. Whisk while you go so the sauce stays smooth and doesn’t get all lumpy.

Sprinkle in herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley. I usually grab whatever’s handy, fresh or dried both work. Garlic and a dash of white pepper add a nice kick.

Let the sauce bubble gently until it thickens up. That’s when it starts to smell amazing.

Meanwhile, cook your spaghetti. Once it’s ready, mix it right into the sauce.

If you’re feeling extra, add some grated Parmesan. It makes the whole dish richer and creamier.

Serve it up hot. It’s simple, but it hits the spot—especially when you want something easy but satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 teaspoon mixed herbs (fresh or dried)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz spaghetti
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Stir in flour and cook for about a minute or two.
4. Slowly whisk in milk and let the sauce thicken.
5. Add garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper; stir everything together.
6. Toss spaghetti with the sauce and sprinkle on Parmesan if you like.
7. Serve while it’s warm.

You can find more on making this creamy white sauce at White Sauce Spaghetti – The Whisk Addict.