1. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta is one of those dinners that feels restaurant-worthy but requires surprisingly little effort. Tender pasta is coated in a smooth garlic cream sauce with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
It is an excellent choice for busy weeknights because the entire dinner can be ready in around 25 minutes. Serve it with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Recipe Overview
| Recipe Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best For | Quick weeknight dinner |
Ingredients
- 12 oz / 340 g spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
1. Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente.
Before draining, carefully reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.
2. Cook the garlic
Place a large skillet over medium-low heat and melt the butter.
Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30–60 seconds. Stir continuously so the garlic becomes fragrant without turning dark brown.
3. Make the creamy sauce
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and stir it together with the garlic butter.
Allow the cream to gently simmer for approximately 2–3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the Parmesan cheese while stirring.
4. Add the pasta
Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet.
Toss everything together until every strand of pasta is coated in the creamy Parmesan sauce.
If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
5. Finish and serve
Season with black pepper and salt as needed. Add red pepper flakes if you prefer a little heat.
Sprinkle chopped parsley and additional Parmesan over the top before serving.
Cook’s Tip
For the smoothest sauce, grate Parmesan from a block rather than using packaged shredded cheese. Add the cheese over low heat to reduce the chance of the sauce becoming grainy.
What to Serve With It
Garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, asparagus, or grilled chicken all pair beautifully with this pasta.
Easy Variations
Add sautéed mushrooms for extra savory flavor, grilled chicken for additional protein, shrimp for a seafood version, or baby spinach for extra vegetables.
Ready for something with a little more heat?
Next: Spicy Tomato Penne Pasta →
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