Cheesy Margherita Pasta

Cheesy Margherita Pasta is a quick and easy 30-minute meal, loaded with fresh tomato basil flavors, all tossed in a rich, creamy cheese sauce.

Easy 30-Minute Pasta Meal On Repeat

If you’re craving something comforting, cheesy, and easy, Margherita pasta is about to become a new family go-to. Inspired by classic Margherita pizza, this fast pasta dish combines fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic flavor, and plenty of melty cheese in only 30-minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Margherita Pasta

Here is everything you need for this pasta dish. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.

Pasta- Rotini or spiral pasta captures the creamy cheese sauce.

Tomatoes and basil– Add classic Margherita flavors.

Aromatics– Onion and garlic for extra flavor.

Butter and oil– The butter adds richness while the oil will help during the sauté step.

Chicken broth and milk– This will be your liquid along with reserved pasta water.

Flour– You’ll need flour to help thicken the cream sauce.

Cheese– 3-different kinds of cheese for a delicious cheese sauce–parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese.

Variations

Add protein– Cooked chicken or shrimp is a great option with this pasta. Stir it right in after the pasta is assembled.

Moreveggies– A handful of baby spinach or cooked broccoli pieces to give this dish a boost of nutrition.

How To Make Cheesy Margherita Pasta

For complete instructions see full instructions in the recipe card below.

• Cook the pasta– Make sure to cook pasta just until al dente and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
• Sauté veggies and tomatoes– In a large skillet melt butter with oil and sauté onions, garlic, and half of the tomatoes.
• Make the cream sauce– Stir in flour, then whisk in milk and chicken broth. Allow it to thicken, then stir in seasonings, herbs, and cheeses.
• Complete with pasta– Once cream sauce in smooth and thickened, stir in fresh tomatoes, cooked pasta, pasta water, and more basil.

What To Serve With Margherita Pasta

This pasta is great on its own, but you can also pair it with a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or a hunk of crusty bread to sop up the yummy sauce.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.

Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend lunch, this creamy, cheesy pasta hits the spot every time.

Cheesy Margherita Pasta

Cheesy Margherita Pasta is a quick and easy 30-minute meal, loaded with fresh tomato basil flavors, all tossed in a rich, creamy cheese sauce.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 679kcal

Equipment

• 1 large pot to cook the pasta
• 1 large skillet for the meal

Ingredients

• 16 ounces uncooked, rotini or spiral pasta
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved and divided
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups quality chicken or vegetable broth I use better than bouillon for a rich savory flavor
• 1 3/4 cups milk I use 2%
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

• Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the cooked noodles. Do not rinse.

  16 ounces rotini pasta
• In a large skillet over medium heat melt butter with oil then add onions and half of the tomatoes. Sauté for 3 or 4 minutes, just until the onions and tomatoes start to soften.

  2 tbsp each butter and olive oil

  1/2 cup chopped onion

  1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Next add garlic and cook for 30-seconds, then whisk in flour. It will look lumpy and that's okay. Cook flour for 1-minute then slowly add the broth and milk. Turn the heat up slightly and continue to whisk the broth and milk until it just starts to thicken and come to a simmer, not a rapid boil.

  2-3 garlic cloves minced

  1/4 cup flour

  1 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

  1 3/4 cups milk
• Stir in parsley, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Then add and incorporate parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Turn heat to low and continue to stir until all the cheese is melted.

  1/4 cup each parsley and basil, chopped

  1 tsp dried oregano

  1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

  1/4 tsp kosher salt

  1/2 tsp black pepper

  1/2 cup grated parmesan

  1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

  3 ounces soft cream cheese
• Once cheeses are melted add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, remaining tomatoes, and extra basil if desired. Stir to combine and taste for salt. Serve immediately.

  cooked pasta

  1 cup pasta water

  1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  extra basil

  salt to taste

Notes

🥄Prepare ingredients before you start cooking as this dish comes together quickly and it’s helpful to have everything ready to go.

🍅If you don’t have fresh tomatoes on hand you can use canned tomatoes. Just make sure to drain well before incorporating.

🥘It is best to use a large skillet with deep sides to make mixing the pasta easier and prevent spill-over. 

 

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 679kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 12189mg | Potassium: 642mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1208IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 370mg | Iron: 2mg

More Delicious Pasta Dishes To Try

If you’re craving more easy and delicious pasta dishes, here are a few tasty options to add to your rotation– Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo, Lemony Baked Shrimp Scampi, One Skillet Taco Pasta or Buttered Parmesan Noodles.

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