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One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta served with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese

One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta

A quick and comforting one-pot pasta dish that combines garlic, milk, and Parmesan for a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Dairy Ingredients
  • 8 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or shells) Use the same shape listed on the package for timing.
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced Adjust to taste.
  • 2 cups milk Whole milk gives the creamiest finish; 2% works fine.
  • 3/4-1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated melts best; Grana Padano or Pecorino are okay swaps.
Cooking Essentials
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
Cooking
  1. Pour in the milk and gently bring it to a simmer, keeping the heat low to avoid boiling vigorously.
  2. Add the pasta in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, following the package time until tender. If the pot looks dry, add a few tablespoons of water or milk.
  3. Once the pasta is tender, reduce heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk and stir.
  4. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then stir in the chopped parsley.
  5. Serve hot, garnishing each bowl with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours in an airtight container and use within 3 to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk, stirring until smooth. Freezing is possible but may change the texture; thaw slowly in the refrigerator and reheat while whisking in milk.

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