Easy One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta – Quick 20-Minute Comfort Food Dinner
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick 20-minute comfort meal made with garlic, milk, and Parmesan cheese in a single pan. It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for easy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup water (just enough to cover pasta)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: 2 tbsp cream cheese or sour cream
- Optional garnish: parsley or basil
Instructions
- Melt butter or heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add pasta, milk, and water. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring often until pasta is tender.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning until creamy.
- Add cream cheese or sour cream for extra richness if desired.
- Garnish with parsley or basil and serve hot.
Notes
- Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
- Whole milk creates a creamier sauce.
- Add chicken, shrimp, or vegetables for a full meal.
- Fresh Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg