Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta recipe is a quick and delicious comfort food made in just 20 minutes. Combining pasta, garlic, milk, and Parmesan cheese, it creates a luscious creamy sauce with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers rich flavors and optional ingredients for extra creaminess, garnished with fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups milk (whole preferred or any milk available)
- 1 cup water or as needed to just cover the pasta
- 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 to 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic.
- Add Pasta & Liquid: Pour in the dry pasta, followed by the milk and enough water to just barely cover the pasta. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has reduced to a creamy sauce consistency.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir the mixture until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. For an extra creamy texture, fold in cream cheese or sour cream at this stage.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while the dish is hot and creamy.
Notes
- Use whole milk for the creamiest texture, but any milk can work.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more milk or water to loosen it.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot.
- For a richer flavor, substitute butter for olive oil or vice versa.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently with extra milk to restore creaminess.
Keywords: One Pot Pasta, Creamy Garlic Pasta, Easy Dinner, Quick Pasta Recipe, Weeknight Meal, Parmesan Pasta