Creamy White Sauce Pasta Recipe with Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese

White sauce pasta is a creamy, cheesy pasta made by cooking a simple sauce of butter, flour and milk, then melting in cheddar and mozzarella cheese. It is ready in about 20 minutes and serves 3 to 4 people. Below is an easy step-by-step recipe, plus a chicken version for a complete meal.

This Alfredo-style pasta is a favourite in Pakistani homes, from weekend dinners to kids' lunchboxes. The secret to a smooth, rich sauce is good dairy: Moloko Unsalted Butter for the base, Moloko Cheddar Cheese for a sharp, full flavour, and Moloko Shredded Mozzarella for that famous cheese pull.

Ingredients for White Sauce Pasta (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• Fettuccine or penne pasta – 250 g
• Water – for boiling
• Salt – 1 tsp

For the white sauce

• Moloko Unsalted Butter – 3 tbsp
• Garlic – 4 cloves, finely chopped
• All-purpose flour (maida) – 2 tbsp
• Milk – 2 cups
• Cream – ½ cup (optional, for extra richness)
• Moloko Cheddar Cheese – ½ cup, grated
• Moloko Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – 1 cup
• Salt – to taste
• Black pepper – ½ tsp
• Oregano and chilli flakes – ½ tsp each
• Fresh parsley – for garnish

How to Make White Sauce Pasta – Step by Step

1. Boil the pasta. Bring water to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta as per the pack time, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and keep ½ cup of the pasta water aside.
2. Melt the butter. Heat 3 tbsp of Moloko Unsalted Butter in a pan on low-medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Do not let it turn brown.
3. Add flour. Add 2 tbsp of flour and stir for 1 minute to cook out the raw taste.
4. Add milk slowly. Pour in the milk little by little while whisking, so no lumps form. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add cream if using.
5. Melt in the cheese. Lower the heat. Add the grated cheddar and stir until smooth, then add the shredded mozzarella and stir until melted.
6. Season. Add salt, black pepper, oregano and chilli flakes.
7. Mix the pasta. Add the boiled pasta and toss well. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water.
8. Serve. Garnish with parsley and a little extra mozzarella. Serve hot.

Tip: Always add cheese on low heat. High heat can make the cheese split and the sauce grainy.

Chicken White Sauce Pasta (Variation)

1. Cut 250 g boneless chicken into small cubes.
2. Season with salt, black pepper and ½ tsp garlic powder.
3. Cook in 1 tbsp butter on medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until fully cooked.
4. Add the chicken to the white sauce in step 7, together with the pasta.

You can also add mushrooms, capsicum or sweet corn for more colour and taste.

Why Use Both Cheddar and Mozzarella?

• Cheddar adds flavour. It has a sharp, rich taste that makes the sauce full and tasty.
• Mozzarella adds stretch. It melts smoothly and gives the creamy, stretchy cheese pull everyone loves.
• Together they balance. Cheddar alone can feel heavy, and mozzarella alone can taste mild. The mix gives the best of both.

Want to know which mozzarella melts best? Read shredded vs block mozzarella – which is better.

Why Unsalted Butter for White Sauce?

Unsalted butter lets you control the salt in the dish. Cheese already has salt, so starting with unsalted butter keeps the sauce from becoming too salty. It also gives a clean, creamy base that lets the cheese flavour shine.

Tips for the Perfect White Sauce Pasta

• Whisk while adding milk. This is the key to a smooth, lump-free sauce.
• Grate your own cheddar. Freshly grated cheese melts more evenly.
• Save pasta water. A little starchy water helps the sauce stick to the pasta.
• Serve right away. White sauce thickens as it cools. Add a splash of warm milk when reheating.

Looking for more cheesy ideas? Try our easy Pakistani recipes using cheese or find the best mozzarella cheese for pizza in Pakistan.

Order Moloko Cheese and Butter Online

Moloko is a brand of GMP Foods, a PSQCA-approved dairy company with over 25 years in Pakistan. Get everything for this recipe at GMP eMart:

• Moloko Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Danish)
• Moloko Cheddar Cheese
• Moloko Butter

We deliver to Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Quetta.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does white sauce pasta take to make?

About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to boil the pasta and 10 minutes to make the sauce.

Which cheese is best for white sauce pasta?

A mix of cheddar and mozzarella works best. Cheddar gives flavour and mozzarella gives a smooth, stretchy texture.

Can I make white sauce pasta without cream?

Yes. Milk, butter, flour and cheese are enough for a creamy sauce. Cream only makes it richer.

Why is my white sauce lumpy?

The milk was added too fast. Add it slowly while whisking. If lumps form, whisk hard on low heat or strain the sauce.

Why did my cheese sauce turn grainy?

The heat was too high when the cheese was added. Always lower the heat before adding cheese and stir gently until it melts.

Is white sauce pasta the same as Alfredo pasta?

They are very similar. Classic Alfredo uses butter, cream and parmesan, while this white sauce version uses milk, flour, cheddar and mozzarella. It is easier to make with ingredients found in most Pakistani kitchens.