Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and easy dish ready in just 20 minutes. Featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti, rich garlic flavor, and a luscious creamy sauce made from Parmesan cheese and milk, it’s a comforting meal that requires minimal cleanup. Optional cream cheese adds extra indulgence, while fresh herbs provide a vibrant finish.
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 type you have)
- 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 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add Pasta & Liquid: Pour in the dry pasta, milk, and enough water to just barely cover the pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce 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 to a creamy sauce.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. For an extra creamy sauce, stir in cream cheese or sour cream.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use any type of milk you prefer; whole milk will provide the creamiest result.
- If you want a richer sauce, adding cream cheese or sour cream is highly recommended.
- Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot and burning.
- Adjust salt and seasoning according to your taste preferences.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk and cheese with vegan alternatives.
Keywords: one pot pasta, creamy garlic pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta, Parmesan pasta, stovetop pasta