Cheesy Baked Bechamel Pasta

Pasta dishes are a favorite around here. They are a great way to serve a comforting and hearty meal and are favored by adults and children alike. They’re incredibly versatile, offering many options using various kinds of pasta, meats, veggies, and flavorings.

Take, for example, this Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta or Buffalo Chicken Pasta with Ranch. Both options offer great flavor and can be pulled together quickly for an easy side dish.

This Cheesy Baked Bechamel Pasta is no different. It’s a delightful combination of tender pasta, rich and creamy white sauce, and savory bacon bits, all tossed together and baked to create an indulgent and satisfying dish.

• It’s an easy side dish or main course, with only six main ingredients plus spices. No need to separate anything into distinct layers – it all comes together in one pot and is baked to golden perfection in the oven.
• Creamy béchamel sauce comes together in a matter of minutes, and it’s so deliciously addicting.
• It’s a versatile pasta side dish perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Add some protein to make it a complete meal, or throw in some veggies to balance the decadent cheese.

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this delicious Baked Pasta with Bechamel Sauce:

Pasta – You’ll need a 16-ounce box of your favorite short pasta; rotini pasta, penne pasta, elbows, and bow ties all work well. Regular or whole wheat pasta both work well.

Cheese – The addition of shredded mozzarella cheese helps the creamy texture of the sauce.

Milk – Whole milk is best to create that creamy bechamel sauce, but 2% milk will work too.

Bacon bits – Homemade crumbled bacon or storebought bacon bits work well. I like real bacon crumbles from Costco.

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!

Step 1: First, cook pasta according to package directions, but cut the cooking time short by 1-2 minutes. For best results and a certain al dente texture, drain pasta 2-3 minutes earlier than the package instructions.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius).

Step 2: Melt salted butter over medium heat in a large oven-proof skillet. Once the butter is melted, add all-purpose flour and whisk until you have a smooth texture, about 2-3 minutes. Continue whisking the roux and slowly add milk to thin it out.

Add spices and stir until everything is incorporated and well combined. You should have a creamy, rich, and smooth sauce at this point.

Next, stir in the bacon bits and 1/2 cup of cheese. Stir to combine and do a taste test for seasonings. Adjust if needed

Step 3: Finally, add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. If using an oven-proof pan like Dutch oven, sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese directly over the top of the pasta. If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet or pan, transfer the cheesy pasta mixture to an oven-safe baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Step 4: Dice up two tablespoons of salted butter and add to the top of the pasta. This step is optional but makes for a deliciously creamy bechamel sauce as the butter melts into the crevices of the pasta.

Step 5: Bake creamy pasta in preheated oven for 25-28 minutes or until the cheese is nice and golden brown and the mixture is bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow the bechamel pasta bake to cool for a few minutes at room temperature before serving.

• Make it a meal: Add a healthy protein and make it a complete meal. Some great options are leftover roast chicken meat, cooked ground meat like Italian sausage or ground beef, or flaked canned tuna. You can also pan-fry some boneless chicken breasts for easy protein.

• Healthier version: If you’re watching your sodium, use unsalted butter and choose cheese with lower sodium content, like mozzarella and swiss cheese.

• Bacon bits: make them yourself in the oven ahead of time and store them in a jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.

⭐️ CONFIDENCE TIP ⭐️

• Storage: Leftover bechamel pasta bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

• Reheating: The best way to reheat pasta bake is to warm it in the microwave for a few minutes until thoroughly heated.

• Freezing: Cheesy sauces and other dairy ingredients do not freeze well. Therefore, I don’t recommend freezing this creamy pasta bake. It’s best enjoyed fresh or eaten within a few days.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Béchamel sauce is a classic French sauce made from a roux (mixture of butter and flour), milk, and spices. It is commonly used as a base for many dishes such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and various gratin dishes.

The most important thing to remember is to go easy on the heat when making the roux, a flour and butter mixture. This is especially important as you add the milk.

A super light, crisp salad like this Arugula Salad or this Tossed Salad is about all you need! I love a crisp salad to balance out all that creamy goodness!

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TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE

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Oven Proof Pan

Whisk

Pasta Strainer

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