Creamy Pasta & Cheese - Did Someone Say Comfort Food?
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This is the dish you make when everyone needs comfort — immediately.
This Creamy Balsamic Pasta & Cheese is rich, bubbling, and unapologetically cozy, but with one small twist that keeps it from feeling heavy: a gentle splash of balsamic vinegar stirred into the cheese sauce.
The balsamic doesn’t make this taste tangy — it simply balances the richness, deepens the flavor, and makes the whole dish feel just a little more grown-up (without sacrificing the gooey goodness).
Perfect for holiday dinners, potlucks, or nights when you need a win and don’t want to think too hard about it.
✨ Best balsamics for this dish: Traditional Dark, White Balsamic, or Maple Balsamic (used lightly).
Baked Pasta & Cheese with Balsamic
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Main Courses
Cuisine
American
Author:
The Little Shop of Olive Oils
Servings
6-8
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Calories
821
A creamy, baked pasta & cheese made even better with a subtle splash of balsamic vinegar for balance and depth. Comfort food that delivers every time.
Ingredients
- 1 lb short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or cavatappi)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2½ cups milk (or half milk / half cream)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, fontina, gruyère, or a mix)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1–2 teaspoons Traditional Dark, White, or Maple Balsamic Vinegar
- Optional topping: extra cheese or buttery breadcrumbs
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta until just al dente; drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese until smooth.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Fold pasta into cheese sauce and transfer to a baking dish or skillet.
- Top with extra cheese or breadcrumbs if using.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
Recipe Note
- Maple balsamic adds subtle warmth and sweetness.
- White balsamic keeps the dish light and clean.
- Traditional dark adds savory depth without overpowering the cheese.
- Can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition
- per serving
- Calories
- 821
- Carbs
- 67 grams
- 22%
- Protein
- 22 grams
- 44%
- Fat
- 52 grams
- 80%
- Saturated Fat
- 32 grams
- 199%
- Trans Fat
- 0 grams
- 2855%
- Cholesterol
- 157 milligrams
- 52%
- Fiber
- 3 grams
- 11%
- Sugar
- 6 grams
- 7%
- Sodium
- 552 milligrams
- 24%
- Iron
- 2 milligrams
- 9%
- Potassium
- 306 milligrams
- 9%