When a serious craving for cheesy pasta comes calling, turn to this decadent recipe, which elevates basic cream sauce with toasted walnuts, blue cheese and fresh chives. For a different take, try rotini, rigatoni, penne or bow-tie pasta.
Contents
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Pasta
- 1/2 c. toasted walnuts
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 clove garlic
- 3/4 c. whole milk
- 4 oz. lowfat cream cheese
- 1/4 c. grated Parmesan (1 oz)
- Pinch freshly grated or ground nutmeg
- 4 oz. blue cheese
- 1/4 c. chopped fresh chives
Directions
- Step 1
Heat oven to 375°F. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Step 2Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Step 3While the walnuts are toasting, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until very tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cream cheese, Parmesan and nutmeg and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Step 5Toss the pasta with the cream sauce, blue cheese and walnuts, adding some of the reserved cooking liquid if the pasta seems dry. Top with the chives.
