This super-easy garlic Parmesan pasta is a one-pot pasta recipe with a luscious cream sauce made with fresh garlic and Parmesan. It is a family favorite and a perfect side dish for those busy weeknights.
Are you looking for a quick and delicious dinner option? This garlic parmesan pasta recipe is simple, tasty, and can be made in under 30 minutes! Follow along for easy-to-follow instructions and enjoy a delicious meal in no time. I love to serve this delectable pasta with rocket salad or Italian salad and garlic cheese bread.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: unsalted or salted
- Chicken broth: preferably low sodium
- Milk: whole or 2% is best
- Pasta: This recipe allows you to use several different pasta shapes, such as linguine, fettuccine, spaghetti, small shells, penne, elbow, or cavatelli. The cooking time might vary by a few minutes, so keep checking to see when the pasta is tender.
- Parmesan cheese: This recipe calls for freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The flavor is worth every penny, and unlike the stuff in the canister, it melts perfectly.
How to Make Parmesan Pasta
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
You will not believe how incredibly easy and delicious this recipe is. Start by melting a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Now add the garlic and cook for about one minute, stirring constantly. Then, add the chicken broth, milk, and cream and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and gently boil until the pasta cooks tender. Finally, stir in the Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- If the pasta becomes too thick, add a little chicken broth, milk, and cream in the same proportions as the recipe. It is hard to mess this one up.
- Cook the pasta over a very low boil while stirring frequently. Keep the pasta under the liquid, adding more chicken broth, milk, and cream in the same recipe proportions if necessary.
- Fresh spinach or frozen peas can be added in the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
- Both rotisserie-cooked chicken and skillet sautéed lemon shrimp are delicious when added to the pasta upon completion.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Serving Suggestions for Parmesan Pasta
- Grilled chicken
- Italian salad
- Cheese garlic bread
- Grilled shrimp
- Tomato salad
- Arugula salad
- New York strip steak
- No knead bread
- London broil
More Pasta Recipes
Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot or skillet over medium low heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
- Add chicken broth, milk and cream. Bring to low boil. Add pasta and gently boil until tender; 15-20 minutes while stirring the noodles several times. Reduce heat to low and stir in the Parmesan Cheese until melted.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- If the pasta becomes too thick, add a little chicken broth, milk, and cream in the same proportions as the recipe. It is hard to mess this one up.
- Cook the pasta over a very low boil while stirring frequently. Keep the pasta under the liquid, adding more chicken broth, milk, and cream in the same recipe proportions if necessary.
- Fresh spinach or frozen peas can be added in the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.
- Both rotisserie-cooked chicken and skillet sautéed lemon shrimp are delicious when added to the pasta upon completion.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Jamie H
I loved how easy this recipe was! Thank you for sharing – It is good cheesy, creamy pasta for so many entrees. It is especially delicious with chicken and shrimp.
Karen
5 stars for sure!!! The parmesan pasta turned out delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe, it is great.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Karen!
Laurie M
This recipe is lovely. We are big pasta fans and with the parmasan cheese it makes it extra flavorful. We added some peas also.
Beth Pierce
I bet it was delicious!
Crizha Cullen
What a delicious and easy parmesan pasta recipe. My friends and family loved it. I served it with your dry rub grilled pork tenderloin and the meal was amazing.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Crizha!
Maria C
My family loves pasta recipes so much. This parmesan pasta was perfect for us, my son loved it.
Jenny
We love this parmesan pasta. It is a great easy weeknight dish that we all love! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Jenny!
Archer
I love pasta, and this parmesan pasta recipe was so tasty and easy to make. The kids loved every bite. I will be making this delicious side often.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Archer!
Sophia Unger
I love this one pot recipe. It is a lot like fettuccine alfredo without as much time of effort. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Sophia!
Ricardo L
I love this Parmesan pasta. It is quick, easy, and creamy.