Description
This One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta recipe provides a delicious, hearty meal with minimal dishes, perfect for a busy weeknight. It features a comforting aroma of savory garlic and rich Parmesan, ensuring creamy, flavorful results with straightforward pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) penne, rotini, or orecchiette pasta
- 4 cups (960ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter touch)
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup (90g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- 2 Tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, to season (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper, for a gentle spice
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, shrimp, or crumbled Italian sausage (optional, for a heartier meal)
- A handful of fresh spinach or halved cherry tomatoes (optional, for nutrients and color)
- Fresh chopped parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
- Sun-dried tomatoes (optional, for sweet, concentrated tomato essence)
- Tender asparagus tips, sweet corn, or peas (optional, seasonal veggies)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt 2 Tbsp (28g) butter and 1 Tbsp (15ml) olive oil in a large 10-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 4-5 cloves minced fresh garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it becomes wonderfully fragrant and lightly golden; if it starts to brown too quickly, lower the heat as burnt garlic can turn bitter.
- Combine Liquids and Pasta: Pour in 4 cups (960ml) broth and 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream. Add 8 oz (225g) uncooked pasta, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle, steady simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Stir occasionally every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has absorbed, forming a thick, creamy sauce that beautifully coats the pasta.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from the heat. Immediately stir in 1 cup (90g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the sauce. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil before serving this delightful easy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Weeknight Pasta.
Notes
If your sauce looks too thick after cooking, add 1-2 Tbsp more broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for an extra 1-2 minutes or stir in another tablespoon of Parmesan cheese for thickening. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and verify broth. For a vegan version, use vegetable broth, plant-based cream, and nutritional yeast. For lower-carb, use chickpea or lentil pasta or stir in spiralized zucchini during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 250 g)
- Calories: 550 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg
Keywords: one-pot, garlic Parmesan, weeknight, easy pasta, creamy, family dinner, minimal dishes, simple ingredients