Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick, comforting, and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple ingredients like pasta, garlic, milk, and Parmesan cheese, it’s creamy and flavorful without requiring multiple pots or complicated steps. The addition of optional cream cheese or sour cream boosts the richness, while fresh herbs add a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups whole milk (or any milk 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 prevent burning.
- Add Pasta & Liquid: Pour in the dry pasta, followed by the milk and enough water to just barely cover the pasta. Stir everything to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Cook the Pasta: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered. Stir frequently for 8–10 minutes until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has thickened into a creamy sauce.
- Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. 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 pasta with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use any type of pasta you prefer: spaghetti, linguine, penne, or even fusilli work well in this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of water to ensure the pasta is just covered to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Using whole milk results in a richer sauce, but low-fat or plant-based milks can be substituted for a lighter dish.
- For a vegan version, substitute dairy milk with unsweetened plant milk and replace Parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: one pot pasta, creamy garlic pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, weeknight meal, vegetarian pasta, Italian pasta
