A timeless and comforting classic: creamy pasta coated in a generous, melting cheese sauce. Ready in just minutes, this simple yet flavorful dish delights everyone with its rich and delicate taste.
⏱️17 min
📊Easy
👥2 servings
🍽️Main
quickbudget-friendlyfamily
Ingredients
250 gpasta (tagliatelle or penne)
100 ggrated cheese (Comté or Parmesan)
40 gbutter
150 mlheavy crème fraîche
1 pincéefine sea salt
0.5 pincéefreshly ground black pepper
1 pincéenutmeg
Instructions
1BRING WATER TO A BOIL: Fill a large pot generously with water and bring to a vigorous boil. Add a generous pinch of salt (the water should taste like sea broth). This step is crucial for properly seasoning the pasta. Keep it at a rolling boil while you prepare the sauce.
2COOK PASTA AL DENTE: Pour the dried pasta into the boiling water and stir immediately with a fork to prevent sticking. Follow the cooking time on the package, usually 8 to 10 minutes. The pasta should remain slightly firm to the bite, never soft or mushy.
3PREPARE THE CHEESE SAUCE: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter slowly without browning it. Gradually pour in the crème fraîche while stirring with a wooden spoon. Heat gently for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture simmers slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and add a generous pinch of nutmeg to enhance the flavors.
4ADD THE CHEESE: Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually incorporate the grated cheese while stirring vigorously until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy sauce. Never place the sauce over high heat after adding the cheese, or it will become lumpy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
5DRAIN AND COMBINE: Carefully drain the pasta in a colander, reserving a ladleful of cooking water (its starch will help bind the sauce). Pour the hot pasta into the cheese sauce, stirring gently but regularly with a spatula. Add a bit of cooking water if the sauce seems too thick to coat the pasta properly.
6PLATE AND SERVE: Pour the pasta immediately into warm shallow bowls or preheated serving dishes to maintain the heat and fluidity of the sauce. Finish with a crack of fresh black pepper and a light dusting of grated cheese if desired. Serve without delay to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest.