Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and comforting meal made by cooking pasta directly in a flavorful milk and water mixture, infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, then finished with Parmesan cheese and optional cream cheese or sour cream for extra creaminess. Garnished with fresh herbs, it’s an easy, delicious dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups milk (whole preferred)
- 1 cup water (or as needed to just cover the pasta)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Optional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: In a large pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter or heat olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in 2 cups milk and 1 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add 8 oz pasta. Stir well to submerge the pasta.
- Cook Pasta in One Pot: Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently every 1-2 minutes until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed, forming a creamy sauce.
- Finish with Creaminess and Seasoning: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optional 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream until melted and creamy. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir in optional chopped parsley or basil. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use whole milk for the creamiest texture; skim or low-fat milk will yield a thinner sauce.
- Stir frequently during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the pot.
- Adjust water quantity slightly to ensure pasta is just covered but not swimming.
- For a richer sauce, add cream cheese or sour cream as suggested.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure Parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly (no animal rennet).
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for added freshness and color.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy garlic pasta, one pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, Italian pasta, Parmesan pasta
