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
Darlene Steele
I havent tried this yet, but it looks delish. Its not too starchy cooking the pasta in the same pan and not seperately?
Beth Pierce
I don’t think so!
ROB ETENNE
I loved the rich cheese It was the best and the boom!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rob! So glad that you liked it!
Betty Lee
Absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to make it again! The kitchen smelled so good even the next morning!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Betty Lee! So glad that you liked it!
Erin
I made this with egg noodles and grilled chicken then threw some havarti cheese on top! Plus added some red pepper flakes! Yummy!
Beth Pierce
That sound delicious! Thanks for the tips!!
LAMB CHOPS IN BATTER
First time I tried it absolutely gorgeous.
Nicole m
I would love to try it, but I have a sensitivity to heavy cream. Is there an alternative?
Beth Pierce
It will work with whole milk.
Cathy
So yummy! Can’t wait to try it with shrimp next time!
Kevin
I love trying new pasta recipes! This one has all the right flavors!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
I would love this parmesan pasta for dinner! Looks incredibly delicious!
katerina @ diethood.com
I love how simple and delicious this pasta is!
Kimberly
Simple and delicious, that’s always a winning combination!
Erin
This Parmesan pasta is looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!