Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Made in just 20 minutes, it combines tender pasta with a luscious garlic-infused creamy sauce enhanced by Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. This dish requires minimal cleanup and can be customized with optional cream cheese or sour cream for extra richness, topped with fresh herbs for a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Liquids
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 2 cups milk (whole preferred, or any milk you have)
- 1 cup water (or as needed to just cover the pasta)
Flavorings & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Optional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic: In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter or heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add Pasta & Liquid: Pour in the dry pasta, milk, and enough water to just barely cover the pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has reduced to a creamy sauce.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. For an extra creamy result, stir in the cream cheese or sour cream until fully incorporated.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve the pasta immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use whole milk for a creamier sauce, but any milk will work.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or milk to adjust consistency.
- Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cheese with suitable plant-based alternatives and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste preference by adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: creamy garlic pasta, one pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, garlic Parmesan pasta
