This super easy kid-friendly Cheesy Spaghetti comes together in less than 20 minutes and is a perfect side for so many main courses. We love to serve it with Oven Baked Ribs or Ham Steak with Honey Mustard Glaze.
This Cheesy Spaghetti will quickly become one of your family favorites. It is loaded with delicious creamy goodness that all cheese lovers will greatly appreciate. It comes together really quickly and can even wow a crowd. You can make it with different types of pasta and you can add chicken, bacon, onions, or peas.
How do you make Cheesy Spaghetti?
First cook the spaghetti according to the box instructions and drain well. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan melt the butter over low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly bubbling and smooth. Now slowly pour in the milk whisking as you go. Continue cooking and stirring frequently over low heat until thickened.
Add the cream cheese and cook until melted stirring often. Slowly whisk in the grated sharp cheddar and white cheddar until melted. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the skillet and stir to coat. For best results serve promptly.
We made this recently for my son’s tenth birthday and it certainly was a party pleaser. Even my son’s picky friends enjoyed it. The noodles can be cooked ahead of time and the sauce can be prepared and allowed to stay on the stove on warm until the food is ready to serve. Then just combine them and your sauce will not get absorbed into the pasta sitting in it all day.
Tips for making Cheesy Spaghetti
- You can use any type of pasta that would be good with a cheese sauce like bowtie, penne, linguine, or radiatore.
- Use good quality sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheese. It really does make a difference.
- I use 2% milk but in a pinch, I have used skim and whole with good success.
- This recipe requires frequent whisking for a nice smooth sauce.
- If the sauce becomes too thick simply add a couple of tablespoons of milk or low sodium chicken broth.
- You can add cooked rotisserie chicken, cooked bacon, sauteed onions and garlic, cooked peas, steamed broccoli, or sauteed asparagus.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Other pasta recipes you will love!
- Pasta con Broccoli
- Creamy Chicken Mushroom Pasta
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Creamy Gnocchi Pasta
- Parmesan Pasta
- Ham and Pea Campanelle Pasta
This post was originally published July 17,2016 and was republished July 30,2019 with new content.
Cheesy Stove Top Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to box instructions. Drain in colander.
- In large saucepan over medium low heat melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook until smooth and lightly bubbling; about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and Dijon mustard. Continue cooking over low hit until thickened; stirring frequently; approximately 5 minutes. Add cream cheese and continue cooking over low heat until melted; stirring often. Slowly add both cheddars until melted; whisking frequently.
- Combine with cooked pasta and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use any type of pasta that would be good with a cheese sauce like bowtie, penne, linguine, or radiatore.
- Use good quality sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheese. It really does make a difference.
- I use 2% milk but in a pinch I have used skim and whole with good success.
- This recipe requires frequent whisking for a nice smooth sauce.
- If the sauce becomes too thick simply add a couple tablespoons of milk or low sodium chicken broth.
- You can add cooked rotisserie chicken, cooked bacon, sauteed onions and garlic, cooked peas, steamed broccoli, or sauteed asparagus.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Arianna
I made this yesterday for thanksgiving and it smelled so good I was so ready to dig In. Drove it to my parents house 15 minutes away and the sauce was suddenly clumpy ): do you know what I might’ve done wrong?? I really want to make it right
Beth Pierce
I am not Arianna. It is hard to troubleshoot via comments. Perhaps it needed more heat when you got there and a little more milk.
Sallie
ideas for making in the Instapot?
Beth Pierce
Sorry Sallie! I do not own an instapot. Maybe one of the readers will respond.
Winifel Fajardo
i not have flour what have else to do? or leave out of it? i hope you have a good tip.
Beth Pierce
You really need the flour in this recipe.
Beth Pierce
I am afraid this is one of those recipes that need flour!
Fair
No Flour Option!:
INSTRUCTIONS
Cook spaghetti according to box instructions. Drain in colander.
In large saucepan over medium low heat
melt butter. Slowly whisk in milk and Dijon mustard. Continue cooking over low heat; stirring frequently; approximately 5 minutes. Add cream cheese and continue cooking over low heat until melted; stirring often. Slowly add both cheddars until melted; whisking frequently. Once melted and smooth add 1 Tbsp corn starch mixed with 1 Tbsp of water. Sauce will begin to thicken. If to thin, repeat 1Tbsp mixed with 1 Tbsp of water. I wouldn’t go more than 3…it will continue to thicken up as it cools. Enjoy!
Deborah
Does this have to be served immediately,or can you serve it 30mins later?
Beth Pierce
It has been a while since I made this but I think it is best served pretty quickly.
Anna Konopka
Yum! I’m a Mac and Cheese girl and this is soooooo good. Thanks for the yummy!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Anna! Enjoy!
Becky Hardin
Love this dish! So good and so easy.
Barb
My grandma and my mom both used to make this regularly. I haven’t had it in ages. I need to fix that.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Barb! Enjoy!
Greg
Awesome pasta dish. It was delicious. The “full” sign came on pretty quick. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Greg! So glad that you liked it!
Staci Reilly
I don’t have Dijon mustard.. can I omit this or use a substitute? Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
Sure! You can just omit.
Katie
LOVE this pasta. Has the best cheesy flavor!
Trang
This for sure is a kid-pleasing recipe!
lauren kelly
This is the most delicious comfort food ever! My whole family devoured it. No left overs!
Cheryl S
My family LOVED all the cheese!! thanks for the recipe