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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Alita
Looks great. I really want to try this. Can I add some vegetables?
Beth Pierce
Yes you sure can.
Richelle Milar
That looks like a really amazing recipe I would love to try this! It looks so good!
Gervin Khan
One of my recent favorite food to eat. So delicious and easy to make.
Lisa Charleston
Now this is a dish I can eat everyday! I love this dish and I sometimes add chicken or shrimp to it when I cook it. Such a quick dish to create and my family love it!
Tara Pittman
My family loves pasta. This is a recipe that I need to try.
Amber Myers
I can’t wait to try this. I love pasta so much. This looks incredible!
Sarah Bailey
This is one of those times where I wish I could reach through the screen and grab a bite to eat, it looks absolutely delicious, most definitely a meal to try out myself.
Monique
Made this but used oat milk instead of regular and it turned out beautifully. And put tuna in it
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip. I am sure the readers will appreciate the info!
Natalie
Do you cook the pasta first? Or put it in the sauce mixture and let it cook?
Beth Pierce
Do not cook the pasta first. It will cook in the skillet.
dorothy mccully
my husband will not eat if he knows i used chicken broth what else could what could i use as an alternative
Beth Pierce
Will he eat vegetable broth?