Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and easy comfort food recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes. Combining tender pasta cooked in a luscious garlic-infused milk sauce with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, it’s a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. The recipe is straightforward, using only one pot to minimize cleanup and maximize convenience, with an option to add cream cheese or sour cream for extra richness.
Ingredients
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)
Seasoning and Flavor
- 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 to 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning and to release the garlic’s aroma and flavor.
- Add Pasta & Liquid: Pour in the dry pasta, milk, and enough water to just barely cover the pasta strands. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, ensuring the pasta starts cooking evenly in the liquid.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. During this time, most of the liquid should reduce and create a creamy sauce coating the pasta perfectly.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Once the pasta is cooked, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir the mixture until the cheese melts fully and the sauce thickens. If you want an extra creamy texture, blend in the cream cheese or sour cream at this stage.
- Serve: Garnish the creamy pasta with chopped parsley or basil for freshness and color. Serve immediately while hot for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can swap the pasta shape according to your preference or what you have on hand.
- Whole milk provides a richer sauce, but lower-fat milk can be used as a lighter option.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Adding cream cheese or sour cream is optional but contributes to a silkier sauce.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the Parmesan cheese is free of animal rennet if strictly vegetarian.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
