Description

This One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a quick and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Made with minimal ingredients and cooked entirely in one pot, it blends tender pasta with a rich, garlicky cream sauce. The Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning add a delicious depth of flavor, while an optional addition of cream cheese or sour cream makes it extra creamy. Garnished with fresh herbs, this recipe is both easy and elegant.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Liquids

8 oz pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
2 cups milk (whole preferred, or any you have)
1 cup water (or as needed to just cover the pasta)

Seasonings and Flavorings

1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional

2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream (for extra creaminess)
Chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)

Instructions

Sauté Garlic: In a large pot or deep skillet, melt the butter or heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Add Pasta & Liquids: Pour in the dry pasta, then add the milk and enough water to just cover the pasta. Stir to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Cook the Pasta: Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has reduced, forming a creamy sauce.
Stir in Cheese & Seasoning: Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. For an extra creamy texture, fold in cream cheese or sour cream at this stage.
Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can use any short or long pasta shape such as spaghetti, linguine, or penne depending on your preference.
If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute whole milk with half-and-half or add cream cheese or sour cream.
Stir frequently during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking and to ensure even cooking.
Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk and use dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: creamy garlic pasta, one pot pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, Italian pasta, garlic pasta sauce