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One pot creamy garlic pasta served in a bowl with parsley garnish.

One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta

A quick, creamy garlic pasta dish that's made in one pot, perfect for busy weeknights and unexpected guests.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 8 ounces pasta, such as spaghetti or fettuccine substitute penne or linguine if preferred
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced use 2 tablespoons jarred minced garlic in a pinch
  • 2 cups milk whole milk gives richest results; 2% or plant-based milk can be used
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated reserve a tablespoon for finishing; nutritional yeast is a good swap for dairy-free
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Parsley for garnish, optional fresh basil or chives also work well

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant and slightly softened. Do not let it brown.
  3. Pour the dry pasta into the pot and add the milk. Stir to combine so the pasta is mostly submerged.
  4. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  5. Cook, stirring often, following the pasta package time as a guide. Stirring prevents sticking and helps the milk thicken.
  6. When the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened to a creamy coating, remove from heat.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan until it melts and the sauce becomes glossy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it.
  8. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 21gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 400mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk. Freezing is not recommended.

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