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–+ servings
A bowl of creamy orecchiette pasta, seasoned with black pepper, perfect for easy dinner recipes.

Easy Orecchiette with Cheddar Sauce

Learn how to make a quick and delicious orecchiette pasta dish with a creamy cheddar sauce. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and is designed to be simple enough for novice cooks.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Pasta Cooking Time 16 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Calories: 694
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound orecchiette
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Equipment

  • Large pot

Method
 

  1. In a large pot, bring the orecchiette, milk, salt and pepper to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Boil, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and thickened to a sauce-like consistency and the pasta is tender, 14 to 16 minutes. The pasta takes longer to cook than the package recommends because you’re starting with cold milk rather than boiling water.
  3. Stir in the butter, cream cheese and cheddar cheese, mixing until they are melted and incorporated. The sauce will become creamier as you stir. Spoon into bowls and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 694kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 29gFat: 35gSugar: 11g

Notes

This recipe is a great example of how simple ingredients can create a satisfying meal. Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese to your preference.

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