White Sauce Pasta - Italian

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add required salt and then 1 cup of pasta. Cook for about 15 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until the pasta is soft. Drain the pasta using a colander. Add 1 tsp of oil and toss gently to prevent it from sticking. Set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a pan. Add 2 chopped garlic cloves and sauté until the raw aroma disappears. Add 5-6 sliced mushrooms and cook until they soften. Next, add 1/4 cup of peas, 1/4 cup of corn, and 1/2 chopped capsicum. Season with salt and cook for 2 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender. Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan and set them aside.

Step 3: Prepare the White Sauce (Roux)

In the same pan, melt 2 tbsp of butter on low heat. Add 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour (maida) and whisk continuously for about a minute to cook the raw flour. Make sure the heat is low to prevent the flour from changing color.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

Gradually pour in 2 cups of milk while whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Continue to cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce comes to a boil and thickens to a creamy consistency.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Combine

Once the sauce has thickened, add 1/4 cup of grated white cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely into the sauce. Now, add the sautéed vegetables and the cooked pasta to the pan.

Step 6: Final Seasoning and Serving

Season the pasta with 1/4 tsp of dried basil, 1/4 tsp of chili flakes, salt to taste, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything together well. Allow it to heat through for a minute until it comes to a gentle boil. Turn off the heat and serve the creamy white sauce pasta immediately.

• Always follow the cooking time mentioned on the pasta packet for best results.

• Add a little oil to the cooked pasta to prevent it from drying out and sticking together.

• Adding cheese to the white sauce makes it extra creamy, but it is optional and the pasta will still be delicious without it.

• Cook the flour in butter on low heat to prevent it from burning and changing color.

• You can use any vegetables of your choice like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers.

• For a richer flavor, you can use a mix of different cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan.