Description
One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and comforting 20-minute meal made with tender pasta simmered in a rich garlic sauce, finished with Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups milk (whole preferred)
- 1 cup water (or as needed to just cover pasta)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add pasta, milk, water, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender and liquid thickens (about 10–12 minutes).
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and optional cream cheese or sour cream until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve immediately.
Notes
- Stir often to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Add more milk if sauce becomes too thick.
- Great as a base — add grilled chicken or vegetables if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American