Looking for creamy, dreamy white sauce pasta recipes — without flour? Whether you’re avoiding refined flour, eating gluten-free, or simply want lighter pasta dishes, you’re in the right place.
The good news? You don’t need flour to make a silky white sauce. With ingredients like cream cheese, heavy cream, milk, parmesan, and even cashews, you can create rich, luscious sauces that cling beautifully to pasta.
Below, you’ll find 12 easy white sauce pasta recipes without flour, each with its own flavor twist. They’re simple enough for weekday cooking but tasty enough to impress guests (or just yourself!).
Why Make White Sauce Without Flour?
Before we dig into the recipes, here’s why many people prefer flourless white sauce pasta:
- Gluten-free friendly
- Lower in carbs
- Lighter and easier to digest
- Naturally silkier and creamier
- Fewer ingredients, faster cooking
Now let’s dive into the delicious stuff.
12 Flourless White Sauce Pasta Recipes
1. Classic Cream Cheese Alfredo (No Flour)
If you want creamy pasta fast, cream cheese is your best friend.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Salt & pepper
- Pasta of your choice
How to Make It
- Melt butter, sauté garlic.
- Add cream cheese and stir until smooth.
- Pour in milk and parmesan.
- Season and toss with hot pasta.
Perfect for: quick weeknight dinners.
2. Heavy Cream Garlic White Sauce
This one’s rich, velvety, and absolutely indulgent.
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3–4 garlic cloves
- ⅓ cup parmesan
- Salt, pepper, chili flakes
Steps
- Heat cream gently.
- Add garlic and seasoning.
- Stir in parmesan until melted.
- Mix with fettuccine or penne.
3. Milk-Only White Sauce (No Cream, No Flour)
A lighter option that still tastes decadent.
How to Make
- Simmer milk with garlic.
- Add butter.
- Melt in a little mozzarella or processed cheese.
- Season well.
Tip: Use full-fat milk for the best texture.
4. Cashew Cream White Sauce Pasta
A vegan, dairy-free option that’s super creamy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup soaked cashews
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- Garlic, salt, pepper
How to Make
- Blend cashews with water into a smooth cream.
- Heat in a pan with garlic and seasoning.
- Toss with pasta and veggies.
Bonus: Totally gluten-free and plant-based.
5. Yogurt Parmesan White Sauce
Refreshing, tangy, and creamy all at once.
Steps
- Whisk Greek yogurt with parmesan and garlic.
- Warm gently (don’t boil!).
- Add cooked pasta.
Great for: high-protein meals.
6. Ricotta White Sauce Pasta
Ricotta adds an airy, cloud-like creaminess.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta
- ½ cup milk
- Fresh basil
- Garlic
- Parmesan
Simply whisk everything together and heat until smooth.
7. Sour Cream Garlic Pasta
A mild tang makes this sauce irresistible.
How to Make
- Melt butter with garlic.
- Add sour cream.
- Stir until warm and creamy.
- Add parmesan for richness.
8. Coconut Milk White Sauce (Dairy-Free)
A subtle coconut flavor gives the pasta a unique twist.
Ingredients
- Full-fat coconut milk
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Lemon juice
- Vegan parmesan (optional)
Simmer gently and toss with spaghetti.
Pro tip: Add mushrooms for extra depth.
9. Creamy Pesto White Sauce (No Flour)
Just mix pesto with cream or milk for a green, aromatic sauce.
Steps
- Heat cream or milk.
- Add 2–3 tbsp basil pesto.
- Add parmesan.
- Toss with pasta.
10. Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
A healthy, veggie-forward alternative that still feels indulgent.
Ingredients
- 2 cups boiled cauliflower
- 1 cup milk
- Garlic
- Butter
- Salt & pepper
Blend until smooth and heat before adding pasta.
Low-calorie but full-flavored.
11. Mascarpone White Sauce Pasta
Mascarpone melts into a dreamy, silky coating.
How to Make
- Heat mascarpone with a splash of milk.
- Add garlic and parmesan.
- Mix with pasta and baby spinach.
12. Three-Cheese Flourless White Sauce Pasta
When you want maximum creaminess.
Ingredients
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Cream cheese
- Garlic
- Milk
Melt everything together and enjoy the ultimate cheese-lover’s pasta.
Tips for Perfect Flourless White Sauce Pasta
- Use full-fat ingredients if you want a richer sauce.
- Don’t boil dairy sauces — keep heat medium or low.
- Add pasta water to adjust thickness.
- Season generously — salt transforms creamy sauces.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make white sauce without flour?
Absolutely! You can use cream cheese, heavy cream, milk, cashew cream, ricotta, or coconut milk to create thick, creamy sauces without flour.
2. What can thicken white sauce besides flour?
Cheese, cream cheese, reduced milk, cashew paste, or simmering can thicken sauces naturally.
3. Is flourless white sauce gluten-free?
Yes — as long as you use gluten-free pasta.
4. Can I make healthy white sauce pasta?
Yes! Try cauliflower Alfredo, cashew cream, or yogurt-based sauces for lighter versions.
5. Which pasta shape works best?
Fettuccine, penne, spaghetti, and farfalle all work great, but creamier sauces cling best to shorter shapes like penne.