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You know, sometimes after a long day, the last thing I want to do is a mountain of dishes. It’s why I’m so obsessed with truly easy meals, the kind that feel like a hug in a bowl. This one pot garlic Parmesan pasta is exactly that for me. It’s the kind of dinner that reminds me of my mom’s cooking, comforting and totally fuss-free. Seriously, everything cooks right in one pot – the pasta, the sauce, all of it – which means way less cleanup and more time for, well, eating! It’s creamy, packed with that garlicky, cheesy goodness we all crave, and it’s ridiculously quick. I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe countless times, leaning on some of the techniques I picked up in culinary school, to get it just right for you. It’s a weeknight game-changer, trust me!
- Why You'll Love This One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Gather Your Ingredients for One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Mastering the Art of One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta: Step-by-Step
- Tips for the Best One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Variations for Your Creamy Garlic Pasta
- Serving and Storing Your Delicious One Pot Pasta
- Frequently Asked Questions about One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Nutritional Information for One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
It’s super easy: Seriously, dump everything in one pot, stir, and watch the magic happen. Perfect for those nights when you’re exhausted but still want something delicious.
Crazy quick: Done in about 20 minutes total, from start to finish! It’s a total lifesaver for busy weeknights when takeout feels tempting.
Incredibly creamy & flavorful: This easy one pot pasta recipe delivers that rich, comforting garlic and Parmesan flavor you’re dreaming of, all from simple pantry staples.
Minimal cleanup: The best part? Just one pot to wash! More time to relax and enjoy your quick garlic parmesan pasta.
Gather Your Ingredients for One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready for this ridiculously easy one pot garlic Parmesan pasta! You probably have most of these hiding in your pantry already. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound pasta – I love using linguine or fettuccine here because they grab that creamy sauce so well, but honestly, penne or rotini work great too!
- 4 cups chicken broth – Vegetable broth is totally fine if that’s what you have on hand.
- 1 cup milk – Whole milk makes it extra creamy, but 2% works too.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese – Seriously, please grate it fresh if you can! It makes a world of difference in the flavor and melt-ability. None of that pre-grated stuff in a shaker, okay?
- 1/4 cup butter – Unsalted is best so you can control the saltiness.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced – Don’t be shy with the garlic! You can definitely add more if you’re like me and think garlic makes everything better.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Just a starting point, we’ll taste and adjust later!
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly ground makes a difference!
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley – This is for finishing, it just brightens everything up with a pop of fresh flavor and color.
Mastering the Art of One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta: Step-by-Step
Okay, here’s where the magic really happens! Making this one pot garlic Parmesan pasta is honestly so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner. It’s all about getting everything into one amazing pot and letting it do its thing. Here’s exactly how I do it:
- Grab your biggest pot or a nice Dutch oven – the one you use for chili or soup works perfectly. Toss in your pound of pasta of choice. Then, pour in the chicken broth and milk. Those liquids are going to cook the pasta and create our creamy sauce!
- Next, add in the butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. And don’t forget that gorgeous grated Parmesan cheese! Give it all a good stir so everything is nicely mixed together.
- Now, crank the heat up to medium-high. We want to bring this bubbly mixture to a boil. Keep an eye on it and give it a stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.
- Once it hits that rolling boil, immediately lower the heat to medium-low. Pop a lid on it – this is super important for steaming the pasta and thickening the sauce. Let it simmer away for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll want to stir it every couple of minutes during this time; it helps everything cook evenly and keeps that sauce from getting too thick or sticking.
- After 10-12 minutes, check if your pasta is tender but still has a little bite (that’s al dente!). The sauce should look lovely and creamy. If it seems a little thin, just uncover it and let it bubble for another minute or two, stirring constantly.
- Pull it off the heat and stir in that fresh, chopped parsley. It just adds that perfect fresh finish. And that’s it! Your amazing one pot garlic Parmesan pasta is ready to dive into.
Tips for the Best One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Making this easy one pot pasta recipe is already a breeze, but a few little tricks can make it absolutely spectacular. Catherine always says it’s the small things that make a big difference, and she’s so right!
Pasta Choice Matters! While almost any pasta works, using something like linguine, fettuccine, or even spaghetti really helps here. Their longer strands seem to grab onto that luscious sauce perfectly, giving you that rich, creamy bite every time. Shorter pastas like penne or rotini are great too, but the long strands just feel a bit more special, don’t you think?
Freshly Grated Parmesan is a Must: I know I mentioned it in the ingredients, but seriously, don’t skip this! That pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a little grainy. Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully into the sauce, making it extra smooth and giving you that authentic, deep cheesy flavor.
Stirring is Your Friend: That simmering step is key for cooking the pasta and thickening the sauce, but those little stirs every few minutes are crucial. They prevent the pasta from clumping together and make sure the bottom doesn’t stick or scorch. It really helps create that beautiful, uniform creamy texture we’re going for.
Taste and Adjust: Before you stir in the parsley at the end, give your pasta a taste! Does it need a little more salt? A bit more pepper? Maybe you want to be super decadent and add a splash of heavy cream for extra richness, or even another tablespoon of Parmesan? This is your chance to make it perfect for *your* tastebuds.
Variations for Your Creamy Garlic Pasta
This one pot garlic Parmesan pasta is just the base, you know? It’s so easy to jazz it up and make it your own! If you want to turn this into a more complete meal, try tossing in some pre-cooked shredded chicken or some plump, cooked shrimp during the last few minutes of simmering. They just warm right through!
Feeling a little green? A handful of fresh spinach stirred in right at the end will wilt down beautifully and add a nice touch of color and nutrients. Peas are another great addition – just toss them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking. So simple, so good!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious One Pot Pasta
Once this creamy dream is ready, I love serving it right away while it’s piping hot and super luscious. A little extra sprinkle of that fresh parsley and a generous dust of more Parmesan cheese on top? Perfection! It just makes it look so inviting, you know?
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any remaining creamy garlic pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It might thicken up a bit as it cools, but don’t worry. To reheat, I usually add a splash of milk or water to the pot or microwave-safe bowl and stir it gently as it warms up on the stove or in the microwave. This helps bring back that lovely creamy texture without drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions about One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Got questions about this dreamy one pot garlic Parmesan pasta? I get it! Whenever I try a new recipe, I always have a million little things I want to check. So, let’s dive into some of the most common questions I get about this easy one pot pasta recipe.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While I adore linguine or fettuccine for that perfect sauce-grab, this recipe is pretty forgiving. Penne, rotini, farfalle, or even shells will work beautifully. Just make sure to cook them according to the package directions, keeping that 10-12 minute simmer time in mind as a general guideline. Cooking times can vary a bit depending on the pasta shape and thickness, so always taste test!
How do I make the sauce thicker or thinner?
If your sauce seems a little thin after the simmering time, no worries! Just uncover the pot, keep stirring gently, and let it bubble away for another minute or two. The heat will help evaporate some liquid and thicken it right up. If it’s too thick and starting to clump, just stir in a tiny splash of milk or chicken broth until it reaches your desired creamy consistency.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
The recipe as written uses chicken broth, so it’s not strictly vegetarian. But making it vegetarian is super simple! Just swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, and you’re good to go. It will still be absolutely delicious with that rich garlic and Parmesan flavor.
Can I add protein or veggies to this?
Yes, yes, and yes! This quick garlic parmesan pasta is a fantastic base for other goodies. You can stir in some cooked shredded chicken, flaked tuna, or pre-cooked shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking to warm them through. For veggies, a handful of baby spinach stirred in at the very end is wonderful, or toss in some frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of simmering. It makes it a complete meal!
Nutritional Information for One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Just a heads-up, these numbers are approximate, since everyone’s pantry staples are a little different! The nutritional info for this one pot garlic Parmesan pasta can vary based on the specific brands you use and even the type of pasta or milk you choose. But generally, you’re looking at:
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: around 600
Fat: 20g (with 10g saturated fat)
Carbohydrates: 90g
Protein: 20g
Sodium: 800mg
One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
A creamy and easy one-pot pasta dish with garlic and Parmesan, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Combine pasta, chicken broth, milk, Parmesan cheese, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream.
- You can add cooked chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
- Adjust garlic and Parmesan to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 90g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg