Description
A quick and easy one-pot creamy garlic pasta that comes together in just 20 minutes, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. Made with simple pantry ingredients like pasta, garlic, milk, and Parmesan cheese, this recipe delivers rich, velvety flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Liquids
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup water
Flavorings and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring liquids to boil. In a large pot, combine the water and milk and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Add pasta and seasonings. Add the pasta to the boiling liquid along with salt and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor during cooking.
- Cook pasta. Let the pasta cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is nearly tender but still slightly firm.
- Add garlic and fat. Stir in the minced garlic and butter or olive oil, allowing the garlic to cook and the fat to melt evenly into the sauce.
- Melt cheese and finish sauce. Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce turns creamy and smooth. For extra richness, optional cream cheese or sour cream can be added at this stage.
- Adjust consistency and serve. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water to achieve your preferred consistency, then serve immediately topped with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use any long or short pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne based on your preference.
- For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of cream cheese or sour cream along with the Parmesan.
- Stir often while cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil make a great garnish to brighten the dish.
- This recipe can be customized with vegetables or cooked chicken added at the end for a heartier meal.
