Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of creamy orecchiette pasta, seasoned with black pepper, part of an easy dinner recipe.

Easy Orecchiette with Creamy Cheddar Sauce

This recipe offers a quick and simple way to make a satisfying pasta dish. It's designed for busy home cooks who want to create delicious meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Calories: 694
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound orecchiette
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 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 delicious and comforting meal. It's perfect for weeknights when you need a quick dinner solution.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!