Description
A quick, creamy one pot garlic pasta made with simple pantry ingredients. Rich, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat butter or olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add dry pasta, milk, water or broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Continue cooking until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened and creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and optional cream cheese or sour cream for extra creaminess.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
Notes
- Add cooked chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.
- Mix in vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or peas near the end of cooking.
- Use different cheeses for flavor variations, such as pecorino or white cheddar.
- Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore creaminess.
- Not suitable for freezing due to the dairy-based sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
