Creamy Garlic Pasta (20 minute meal)
This Creamy Garlic Pasta is a favorite because it’s so hearty, cheesy, and has a delicious garlic flavor.
Best of all, this pasta recipe is ready in minutes (literally!). Add in some rotisserie chicken or even grilled shrimp or scallops.
20 Minute Pasta
- Short on time? This super-fast pasta dish is restaurant quality without leaving home.
- It’s a really easy recipe that’s budget-friendly for any night of the week.
- The possibilities are endless. Add cooked or leftover veggies like asparagus, green peas or broccoli. Stir in shredded chicken, smoked sausage, or other leftover proteins.
Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Pasta
PASTA: Any medium pasta is great but try to choose one with holes, tubes, or ridges to hold the creamy garlic sauce. Penne, mostaccioli, shells, fusilli, or rotini work well.
GARLIC: Fresh garlic is our favorite in this recipe. The cloves should be minced or use a garlic press to make it fast. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder but the flavor is more subtle (you’ll need about 1 teaspoon or to taste).
If you want to use roasted garlic, it has a sweeter milder flavor (you’ll want to increase the amount).
SAUCE: Butter, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, and melted parmesan cheese give this sauce a rich and creamy texture. Ensure you’re using heavy cream (or whipping cream) so the sauce thickens well.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Pasta
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. Do not rinse.
- Meanwhile, cook garlic & flour in butter until fragrant (per the recipe below). Add heavy cream and chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add pasta and parmesan cheese.
What to Serve With Creamy Garlic Pasta
Creamy garlic pasta is a crowd-pleasing recipe that goes with so many sides and salads. Garlic Cheese Toast, rolls, or even focaccia bread are always great with pasta.
Since this dish is rich, add in a fresh side salad or some fresh veggies like roasted cauliflower, asparagus, or steamed broccoli.
Our Fave Pasta Dishes
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Creamy Garlic Pasta
This creamy garlic pasta is a budget-friendly dish that’s ready in 20 minutes!
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Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until tender.
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Meanwhile, melt butter over medium-low heat in a 10″ skillet. Whisk in garlic and flour and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
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Quickly add heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer until heated and slightly thickened, 3-5 minutes.
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Drain pasta but do not rinse. Add to the cream mixture.
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Stir in parmesan cheese and season with salt & pepper to taste.
Ensure the cream is heavy cream or whipping cream so the sauce thickens well.
It is important to cook the sauce in a skillet (at least 10″ wide) so it will thicken properly, it doesn’t reduce as well in a saucepan.
If you do not have a skillet you may need to simmer the sauce for longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it before adding the pasta and cheese.
Do not rinse the pasta, the starches help the sauce cling.
Cooked meats such as chicken or shrimp can be added.
Calories: 773, Carbohydrates: 90g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 102mg, Sodium: 632mg, Potassium: 348mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1134IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 357mg, Iron: 2mg
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Keyword best Creamy Garlic Pasta, Creamy Garlic Pasta, Creamy Garlic Pasta recipe, how to make Creamy Garlic Pasta
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine American
