Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and delicious meal ready in just 20 minutes. Perfectly cooked pasta is simmered in a creamy garlic-infused sauce made from milk and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich, comforting dish with minimal cleanup. Optional additions like cream cheese and fresh herbs add an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Liquids
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 2 cups whole milk (or any milk you have)
- 1 cup water (or as needed to just cover the pasta)
Flavors & Seasoning
- 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 add enough water just to barely cover the pasta. Stir the mixture 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 into a creamy sauce.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir continuously 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 creamy garlic pasta with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use whole milk for a richer sauce, but low-fat milk works as well.
- Stir frequently while simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the type and brand of pasta.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute milk and cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- Adding cream cheese or sour cream is optional but enhances creaminess and flavor.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil add a nice bright contrast but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-pot stovetop cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: one pot pasta, creamy garlic pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, garlic pasta, Italian pasta dish
