Description
This creamy garlic parmesan pasta is the perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s rich, comforting, and easy to customize with your favorite proteins and vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Extra parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Reduce heat and stir in parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly.
- Add reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
- Top with parsley and extra parmesan before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best texture. Do not rinse the pasta after draining. Add grilled chicken, shrimp, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, or bacon for delicious variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 105mg