This White Sauce Penne Pasta with Vegetables is a creamy and comforting dish featuring penne pasta coated in a rich white sauce, combined with a variety of colorful vegetables. It’s a perfect vegetarian option that’s both delicious and satisfying.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- Penne pasta: 300 g
- Olive oil: 1 tbsp
- Butter: 2 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Carrot: 1, peeled and diced
- Zucchini: 1, diced
- Bell pepper: 1 (red or yellow), diced
- Spinach: 2 cups, fresh
- Milk: 2 cups
- Heavy cream: ½ cup
- All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp
- Parmesan cheese: 1 cup, freshly grated
- Salt and pepper: To taste
- Italian seasoning: 1 tsp (optional)
- Fresh parsley: Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Penne Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, carrot, zucchini, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the White Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux (paste).
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Combine the Pasta and Vegetables:
- Add the cooked pasta and sautéed vegetables to the white sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serve:
- Divide the creamy pasta among serving plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Tips for the Best White Sauce Pasta:
- Customize the veggies: Feel free to use other vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, or peas.
- Make it richer: For an even creamier sauce, add more heavy cream or a little cream cheese.
- Add protein: To make it heartier, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
This White Sauce Penne Pasta with Vegetables is creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor. It’s a perfect vegetarian pasta dish that’s quick to prepare and great for family meals!
