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Close-up of creamy orecchiette pasta, a delicious and easy dinner recipe, in a white bowl.

Easy Orecchiette with Creamy Cheddar Sauce

This recipe offers a quick and simple way to make a flavorful pasta dish, perfect for busy weeknights. You can create a delicious meal with minimal effort.
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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
  • 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 simple and satisfying pasta dish that can be made in under 30 minutes. It's a great option for a quick weeknight dinner.

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