Watch the Video:
More Pasta Dinners you NEED to Try:
- Creamy Sausage and Spinach Pasta
- One-Pan Sloppy Joe Casserole
- One-Pan Monterey Chicken Pasta
- One-Pan Bean and Spinach Pasta
- Lemon and Chicken Pasta
Want to try this recipe?
PIN IT and SAVE IT for Later!
Creamy Margherita Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 lb Spaghetti
- onion, chopped
- 2½ tsp fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup flour
- 7-8 Roma tomatoes, diced (more for garnish)
- 1¾ cup chicken broth, low sodium
- 1¾ cup half and half (cereal cream if in Canada)
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ¾ cup Mozzarella, shredded
- ⅓ cup cream cheese
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2½ tsp chicken bouillon powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasonings
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dry parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (more for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta according to package directions in a pot of salted boiling water. Once the pasta is cooked, set aside 1 cup of the pasta water for later.
- While pasta is cooking, heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is big enough to hold the sauce and the pasta.
- Once the butter is melted, turn the heat down to medium and add the onions and half of the diced tomatoes. Season with a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the onions are translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30-35 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the flour and let cook for about a minute, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn. You will be left with a very thick paste.
- Slowly stir in your chicken broth followed by your half and half. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Turn up the heat and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering add the chicken bouillon powder, parsley, Italian seasonings, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix and let simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and to allow flavors to blend together. Stir often.
- Lower the heat to low, add parmesan and mozzarella and stir until completely melted. Add cream cheese and mix until the sauce becomes smooth.
- Add the fresh chopped basil and the other half of the diced tomatoes. Taste it to see if needs more salt and pepper and add more if needed.
- Add your cooked pasta and stir until it is coated nicely in the sauce. Add extra pasta water, a little bit at a time, until you have the desired consistency. Pasta water help adhere the sauce better to the pasta and also enhances the flavors.Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.
- Garnish with extra tomatoes and basil if desired.Serve and enjoy!
Leave a Reply