I often crave cheesy pasta. I also often make myself a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese, telling myself I won’t eat the whole thing but slowly serving myself more throughout the afternoon. For days you want to fancy up your cheesy pasta craving, I love this recipe. I didn’t put measurements on this recipe because it doesn’t really matter here. Add more of everything you love, less of what you don’t. Make enough for 2 and share, or make enough for 2 and eat the whole pot.
Cheesy Adult Pasta
I often crave cheesy pasta. I also often make myself a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese, telling myself I won't eat the whole thing but slowly serving myself more throughout the afternoon. For days you want to fancy up your cheesy pasta craving, I love this recipe. I didn't put measurements on this recipe because it doesn't really matter here. Add more of everything you love, less of what you don't. Make enough for 2 and share, or make enough for 2 and eat the whole pot.
Prep Time1 hour hr
Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- Any type of pasta
- Butter
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Parmesan (freshly grated from a hunk)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Red pepper flakes
- Chives
- Heavy cream
- 1/2 lemon Lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Save a good amount (~1/2 cup) of pasta water
- Make the breadcrumbs with butter + breadcrumbs in a pan until golden brown. Shave some parmesan in there if you want cheesy breadcrumbs. Set aside
- Put some olive oil in a pan with chopped garlic and sliced shallots. Salt and pepper. Let that get nice and fragrant
- Add some heavy cream (for about 8 oz of pasta, do 3/4 cup heavy cream)
- Squeeze some lemon juice and let it simmer for about 5 minutes
- Add about 1/2 cup of parm + red pepper flakes + salt and pepper
- Add the pasta water right after to soften up and melt the cheese. Let this bubble up a bit and then add the pasta and coat
- Top with breadcrumbs and chives
Notes
You can also add meat (Italian sausage, bacon, etc.) or more veggies (wilted kale, spinach, broccoli)