Easy Cheesy Pasta Recipe

Try this easy cheesy pasta recipe made with pantry staples for a quick weeknight meal.

And the best part? The creamy cheese sauce is made using a shortcut - crème fraiche - making it easy to whip up in under 30 minutes. Trust me, this cheese pasta recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds!

This cheesy pasta dish is hands-down the most requested meal in our house (my cheat's lasagne is a close second).

With gooey cheese, tender pasta, and crispy herb breadcrumbs, it’s no surprise everyone loves it—my son even had three helpings the other day! As a fellow fan, I can confirm it’s the ultimate comfort food for cheese lovers.

Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make, perfect for busy days.

👩‍🍳 Have you seen my baked feta pasta? A seasonal take on the famous viral TikTok recipe!

Jump to:

• ✔️ Why should you try it?
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🍴 Serving suggestions
• 📖 Variations
• 🥡 Storage
• ❓ FAQS
• 😋Related recipes
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

✔️ Why should you try it?

1. Quick and easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for busy evenings.
2. Comfort food: When you’re craving carbs and cheese, this dish hits the spot.
3. Hearty and filling: Pasta, cheese, and breadcrumbs make it satisfyingly filling.
4. Family-friendly: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
5. Customisable: Add veggies or meats like mushrooms, tomatoes, chicken, or bacon.

🥘 Ingredients

Pasta - Use 300g of macaroni or any short, hollow pasta like penne or rigatoni. Cook until al dente to avoid mushiness in the sauce.

Crème Fraiche - A quick, tangy alternative to traditional white sauce, perfect for the creamy cheese base.

Cheddar Cheese - Extra mature cheddar adds a rich, bold flavour. Swap for another cheese if preferred, but it will alter the taste.

Parmesan - Enhances the sauce with an extra cheesy kick.

Dijon Mustard - A teaspoon adds subtle tang and depth to the sauce.

Smoked Paprika - Adds a gentle smoky note to complement the cheese.

Pasta Water - Essential for a smooth, glossy sauce. The starchy water helps emulsify and bind the ingredients.

For the breadcrumb topping:

Dried Italian Herbs - Optional, but they bring a subtle herbiness. Omit if preferred.

Breadcrumbs - Panko creates a crunchy topping, though regular breadcrumbs work too.

Parmesan - Adds extra cheesiness to the topping.

🔪 Instructions

The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

One: Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. While the pasta cooks, place a heatproof bowl over the pan (ensuring it doesn’t touch the water) and stir together the crème fraîche, cheeses, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Two: Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Gradually whisk the reserved water into the cheese sauce until it’s smooth and glossy—you may not need the whole cup. Stir the pasta into the sauce.

Three: Transfer the cheesy pasta to an ovenproof dish and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs, parmesan, and dried Italian herbs.

Four: Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.

🍴 Serving suggestions

This cheesy baked pasta is great on its own for a quick and easy weeknight supper. You could also turn it into a more substantial meal by serving it with air fryer chicken breasts, homemade garlic bread or focaccia, and a peppery rocket salad on the side.

Vegetables such as air fryer green beans, air fryer broccoli parmesan, and slow cooker corn on the cob are also great options.

📖 Variations

• Cheeses: While the recipe calls for extra mature cheddar and Parmesan, you can switch it up with different types of cheese. Try using crumbled blue cheese, nutty gruyere, or smoked cheddar instead.
• Meats: Stirring through some cooked bacon, grilled chicken, or air fryer salmon before baking the pasta in the oven will add more protein and texture to the dish. You could also try cooked ground beef, diced ham, or cooked sausage.
• Veggies: Adding some vegetables to the dish is a great way to increase its nutritional value. A tin of drained sweetcorn or a handful of fresh spinach can be stirred into the cheese sauce before baking. Peas are also a good choice.
• Spices: You can adjust the amount of smoked paprika or Dijon mustard to suit your taste preferences. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes will give the dish a bit of heat.
• Pasta: While the recipe calls for macaroni, you can use any short, hollow pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli. Or, you could try using different types of pasta like whole wheat or gluten-free for a healthier option.

🥡 Storage

Store - Keep leftover cheesy pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheat - Microwave or warm in the oven at 180°C/350°F for 10-15 minutes until hot.

Freeze - Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven at 180°C/350°F for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave. Note: The breadcrumb topping may lose its crunch after freezing and reheating.

❓ FAQS

😋Related recipes

Some more delicious pasta recipes to try;

• Easy Chorizo and Pepper Pasta
• Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
• Leftover Gammon Pasta
• Bacon Mac and Cheese
• Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
• Creamy Boursin Pasta
• Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Marmite Spaghetti
• Creamy Bacon and Pumpkin Pasta
• One Pan Chicken Penne Arrabbiata
• Chorizo Mac and Cheese

Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

Recipe