Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta – One Pot Wonder
You know those nights when you’re tired, hungry, and absolutely not in the mood to wash three pans and a colander? This creamy garlic parmesan pasta has your back. It’s rich, cheesy, garlicky (duh), and comes together in one pot.
Yup. One. Pot. That means less time cleaning and more time eating in stretchy pants while rewatching your favorite show. #priorities
Why It’s a Lazy Night Lifesaver
This dish is like the pasta version of a warm hug. It’s cozy, it’s carb-y, and it doesn’t require a culinary degree to make. Just toss everything into a pot, let it simmer, and finish it off with an avalanche of cheese.
Also—this isn’t some bland, watery situation. It’s thick, creamy, and full of flavor thanks to a solid garlic punch and a generous helping of parmesan.
Plus, it’s the perfect blank canvas. Wanna add chicken, mushrooms, spinach, or shrimp? Go wild.
What You’ll Need (AKA Your Grocery List)
No fancy stuff here. Just basics doing their best.
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, penne—whatever’s in the pantry)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth (or veggie if you’re keeping it meatless)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk = richer sauce)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (the real stuff, not the dusty shaker kind)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, but looks very “I have my life together”)
How to Pull This Off Without Losing Your Mind
1. Sauté that garlic
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, until it smells amazing but before it turns brown. Burnt garlic = rage.
2. Add pasta, broth, and milk
Dump in the dry pasta, broth, and milk. Stir it up and bring to a low boil.
3. Simmer and stir
Turn the heat down and let it simmer, stirring every couple minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick. Cook for 10–12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the liquid has reduced into a sauce.
4. Add the cheese
Remove from heat. Stir in the parmesan until it’s all melty and glorious. Taste. Add salt and pepper. Do a happy dance.
5. Garnish & serve
Top with parsley if you’re feeling Instagram-y. Otherwise, just grab a fork and go to town.
Add-Ins to Level It Up
- Grilled chicken or shrimp for protein
- Spinach or arugula for a tiny nod to health
- Sautéed mushrooms for extra umami
- Red pepper flakes for heat (highly recommended, tbh)
Avoid These Rookie Moves
- Using pre-shredded cheese. It won’t melt right and your sauce will be sad.
- Too much heat = split sauce. Simmer, don’t boil it into oblivion.
- Undercooking the pasta. Keep tasting as you go. Pasta lies.
FAQs for the “Wait, But…” Crowd
Can I make this ahead?
Sort of. It thickens a lot as it sits. Reheat with a splash of milk or broth and stir until creamy again.
What kind of pasta works best?
Short shapes like penne or rigatoni are great, but spaghetti or linguine also do the trick. Just avoid super tiny ones or they’ll get mushy.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Technically yes, but it won’t be the same creamy magic. Sub in plant-based milk and cheese, but be ready for a thinner texture.
Final Thoughts
This creamy garlic parmesan pasta is what happens when lazy meets genius. One pot, minimal effort, and an ultra-satisfying dinner that tastes like way more work than it actually is.
Whether you’re feeding yourself, your family, or that one picky friend who only eats beige food—this pasta shows up, does the job, and asks for nothing in return. Except maybe a second helping.
