Penne Pasta with Béchamel Sauce
Servings4
PreparationTime45 min
Ingredients
- 1 pack Lamtna penne pasta
- 4 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk until it's warm but not boiling. Remove from heat.
- In another saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously to form a smooth paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it brown.
- Gradually pour in the warm milk while continuously whisking to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season the béchamel sauce with nutmeg (if using), salt, and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it's fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the béchamel sauce and toss until the pasta is well-coated.
- Preheat your oven's broiler.
- Transfer the penne and béchamel mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Place the baking dish under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
