... Print

20-Minute One-Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Close-up of creamy parmesan pasta tossed in a white bowl, topped with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Welcome to My Kitchen! I am Carla Davis, and I created this One-Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta recipe because you need maximum flavor with minimal cleanup on busy weeknights. This dish delivers restaurant-style comfort using simple pantry staples in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Place the dry pasta, broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) into a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven.
  2. Set the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring often, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a thick sauce.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Immediately stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of hot water or extra cream until you reach your desired consistency.
  5. Taste the pasta and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Serve the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta immediately in bowls, topping each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

  • Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese is important; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent the sauce from becoming truly smooth and velvety.
  • If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with whole milk, though the final texture will be slightly less dense.
  • This recipe is excellent as a main dish, but it also works well as a simple side dish for grilled chicken or steak.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/easy-one-pot-creamy-parmesan-pasta/