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White Sauce Penne Pasta

Looking for a quick & easy pasta recipe that is sure to become a family favorite? Try our delicious White Sauce Penne Pasta with a creamy, rich, homemade white sauce that is ready for the dinner table in under 30 minutes!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Keyword penne pasta recipes, penne pasta with white sauce, white sauce penne pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 369kcal
Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

  • 1 box (16 oz) penne pasta
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced or chopped garlic (I use garlic paste)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box.
    * Don't forget to salt the water before you add the pasta. I use about 2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
    * Cook to al dente if that's what you prefer. My family prefers softer pasta so I always cook about 2 minutes past the al dente time.
  • Drain the pasta when it's done cooking and set it aside for later.
    * Don't rinse it under cold water. Just drain it.
  • While the pasta is cooking prepare the white sauce.
    Heat the butter in a medium saucepan, over medium heat, until melted. Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the flour, using a silicone whisk, and cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
  • Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth and lemon juice until smooth and combined. Bring to a boil, while stirring occasionally, and cook until thick. About 5-10 minutes.
  • Whisk in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning and heat until hot and thick, but not boiling.
  • Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and combined smoothly, and remove the pan from the stove.
  • Add in the cooked penne pasta and stir to combine everything together. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if wanted.

Notes

Recipe Tips -
  • Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice : For the best flavor please only use freshly squeezed lemon juice. It is worth the extra effort. Promise. If needed to, in a pinch, bottled lemon juice can be used. 
  • Parmesan Cheese : After making this recipe several times I find that the best flavor comes from freshly shredded parmesan cheese from a wedge of parmesan. But you can experiment and see which parmesan cheese you prefer as there are lots of easy options like the refrigerated grated/shredded parmesan cheeses that you will find at the grocery store. If you are not using the fresh parmesan cheese shredded from a wedge, then you will need to mix in the cheese for longer until it's completely smooth and incorporated into the white sauce. 
  • Pasta Cooking Tips : Always salt your boiling water before adding the dry pasta in. Pasta just screams for flavor and salt cause it's so bland on its own. I use about 1-2 teaspoons of kosher salt, I never really measure so I don't know the exact amount, so just put a good pinch in there. Also, cook the pasta to your liking like al dente (for a firmer pasta) or a softer pasta (2 minutes or more past al dente cook time).
Penne Pasta with White Sauce FAQ's - 
  • How To Store Leftovers of Penne Pasta with White Sauce
    • To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. 
    • Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat. You may want to add some additional liquid, broth or milk, when reheating leftovers to thin out the white sauce. As the pasta sits in the fridge it will soak up all the white sauce. But as the white sauce warms up, it will thin out and coat the pasta once more. 
  • Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta?
    • Yes, you can use any pasta shape you prefer in this recipe. Just be sure and cook it according to the box instructions, as various pasta shapes have different cooking times. Deepening on the size and shape of the pasta, it may soak up the white sauce more or less compared to others. 
    • Fettuccine noodles, spaghetti, ziti, rigatoni, or rotini pasta are all great pasta varieties to use. 
  • Variation Ideas For This Penne Pasta Recipe
    • This recipe is an excellent base for all sorts of meal ideas. Here are a few ideas to get started, remember to taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings (if needed) depending on what you are adding to it. Have fun experimenting with different flavors and ingredients!
      • Vegetables : You could add iced carrots, onion, bell peppers, fresh spinach, or another favorite vegetable to this dish. Or try stirring in some frozen peas, corn, or frozen spinach toward the end of the cook time. If adding vegetables, you will want to make sure they are cut really small so they will cook during the time given. For best results, I suggest using a bag of frozen steam-able vegetables and microwaving them according to package instructions before you add them into them white sauce. 
      • Protein : You could easily add protein to this recipe by stirring in some cooked, diced chicken, beef, or pork. Or try using a rotisserie chicken or leftover meat from a previous dinner. 
      • Cheese : Add some additional cheese to the white sauce for extra flavor and added richness. Some options include shredded mozzarella cheese or crumbled feta. There are also lots of other specialty cheese options like romano cheese, parmesan-reggiano, or others like that. 
      • Herbs : Fresh herbs can add tons of flavor like fresh basil, parsley, or chives. You can also add a pinch of dried seasonings to the white sauce like dried thyme, dried basil, or dried oregano. 
      • Spices : You can really customize this how you prefer. I love the simple, but very flavorful, addition of Italian seasoning but other great options are a pinch of red pepper flakes for some spice, or even ground nutmeg for a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. 
  • Serving Suggestions
    • You can mix the pasta right into the white sauce and serve it that way (like what is pictured). You can also serve the pasta noodles and white sauce separatly and let everyone dish up their own serving of pasta and pour the sauce over it. I also like to set out a bowl of grated parmesan cheese or Romano cheese. My kids love to garnish their pasta with "white cheese" as they call it. 
    • This white sauce is essentially Alfredo sauce so try using it, or the leftovers, in any recipe that calls for Alfredo sauce. 
    • I love serving a side salad when we have this penne pasta for dinner. I make it easy and buy a bagged salad mix from the store, usually the Caesar salad mix, and mix it up for dinner. 
    • Pasta always needs a yummy bread to soak up the sauce. Try my Cheesy Garlic Bread or these Easy Parmesan Garlic Knots
    • Serve my Baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken over top a serving of this white sauce penne pasta. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 318mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 946IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1mg