Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish combines the smooth richness of a classic white sauce with the fresh, slightly crisp texture of roasted vegetables. It’s simple enough for a quick weeknight dinner yet sophisticated enough to serve guests. The fragrant spices add depth, while the Parmesan cheese provides a luscious, cheesy finish. Plus, it’s vegetarian and easily adaptable to your favorite veggies.
Ingredients
½ tbsp butter (for roasting veggies)
½ cup mixed veggies (broccoli, red and green bell peppers)
Pinch of salt (for roasting veggies)
2 tbsp butter (for white sauce)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2½ cups full-fat milk
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp red chili flakes
1 tsp onion powder
1½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
6–8 quarts water (for cooking pasta)
8 oz spaghetti
2 tsp salt (for pasta water)
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley (for garnish)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Roast the veggies: In a pan, melt ½ tbsp butter and sauté the broccoli and bell peppers with a pinch of salt until slightly tender. Set aside.
- Make the white sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking to avoid lumps. Add oregano, red chili flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Simmer until thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Cook the pasta: Bring salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and roasted veggies to the white sauce. Toss until everything is well coated.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Servings and timing
- Serves: 4
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Use your favorite veggies such as mushrooms, zucchini, or asparagus instead of or in addition to broccoli and bell peppers.
- Swap full-fat milk for low-fat or plant-based milk for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- Add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a heartier meal.
- Incorporate fresh herbs like basil or thyme for extra freshness.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for brightness.
Storage/Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce.
- For best texture, consume shortly after preparation as the pasta may absorb sauce and soften over time.
FAQs
Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Yes, gluten-free spaghetti works well in this recipe.
How can I prevent the sauce from getting lumpy?
Whisk the flour into melted butter before adding milk slowly while whisking continuously.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, prepare the sauce ahead and reheat gently before combining with pasta and veggies.
What can I substitute for Parmesan cheese?
Nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan alternatives work for dairy-free versions.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick from red chili flakes but can be adjusted to taste.
Can I freeze this dish?
Freezing is not recommended as the cream sauce and pasta texture may change.
How do I make the dish creamier?
Add a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese to the sauce while cooking.
Can I add garlic cloves while roasting veggies?
Yes, minced garlic added during roasting enhances flavor.
What type of pasta works best?
Spaghetti is traditional, but fettuccine or linguine are good alternatives.
How do I keep the pasta from sticking?
Cook pasta al dente and toss immediately with sauce; avoid rinsing with water.
Conclusion
Creamy Dream White Spaghetti is a simple yet elegant dish that offers comforting creaminess balanced with fresh roasted vegetables and aromatic spices. It’s perfect for cozy dinners and easy to customize based on your pantry. This recipe is sure to become a favorite for anyone who loves rich, satisfying pasta with a fresh veggie twist.
Creamy Dream White Spaghetti
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy and comforting white sauce spaghetti featuring roasted veggies tossed in a rich Parmesan-based sauce with aromatic spices. Easy, elegant, and perfect for a cozy vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
½ tbsp butter (for roasting veggies)
½ cup mixed veggies (broccoli, red and green bell peppers)
Pinch of salt (for roasting veggies)
2 tbsp butter (for white sauce)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2½ cups full-fat milk
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp red chili flakes
1 tsp onion powder
1½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
6–8 quarts water (for cooking pasta)
8 oz spaghetti
2 tsp salt (for pasta water)
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley (for garnish)
¼ cup Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Roast the veggies: Melt ½ tbsp butter in a pan and sauté broccoli and bell peppers with a pinch of salt until slightly tender. Set aside.
- Make the white sauce: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes. Slowly pour in milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Add oregano, red chili flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Simmer until thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Cook the pasta: Bring salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta and roasted veggies with the white sauce until well coated.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
Use your favorite veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or asparagus.
Swap full-fat milk for low-fat or plant-based milk for lighter or dairy-free versions.
Add cooked chicken or shrimp for a heartier dish.
Incorporate fresh herbs like basil or thyme for freshness.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for brightness.
Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk or water to loosen sauce.
Best consumed soon after preparation to prevent pasta from softening.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
