Let me tell you, there are few things more satisfying than throwing a bunch of ingredients into one pot and ending up with something that tastes like it came from a cozy Italian bistro. This creamy garlic pasta is my go-to when I want something warm, cheesy, and comforting but don’t feel like doing a ton of dishes. One pot means less mess, and that’s a win in my book.
This dish is inspired by traditional Italian pasta, where garlic and Parmesan do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of flavor. While most authentic recipes involve making the sauce separately and cooking the pasta in boiling water, I cheat a little and do it all in one pot. Not exactly how Nonna did it, but hey—she didn’t have to work late and then come home to a mountain of laundry.
I usually make this with penne or fettuccine, but honestly, any pasta shape you’ve got will work. And while it’s fantastic on its own, you can always toss in some spinach, grilled chicken, or mushrooms if you want to bulk it up.
Ingredients needed for the Creamy Garlic Pasta:
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 cups (200 grams) dry pasta (penne, spaghetti, etc.)
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for about a minute until it smells amazing—just don’t let it burn.
- Pour in the milk and stir in the pasta.
- Bring it to a simmer and let it cook uncovered, stirring often so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- After about 12 to 15 minutes, the pasta should be tender and the sauce should be nice and creamy.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, maybe with a little extra cheese on top if you’re feeling wild.
This recipe serves about 2 to 3 people, or one very hungry person watching TV in pajamas. Get more recipes from here.
Random joke time: Why did the pasta break up with the sauce? It just felt too strained.
